Cops don’t mind being
caught in this Pickle

By Diane Villano
Times Staff Writer

When they’re not on the job as Philadelphia cops, Jimmy Keenan and Cindy Perrone-Mission have a thing for Pickles.
Their primary focus is working with the police department’s Strategic Intervention Tactical Enforcement unit, a job that calls on them to be dispatched to high-crime areas of the city.
Less stressful is their job of pushing Pickles — a Holmesburg delicatessen that the business partners have opened at 8121 Rowland Ave.
Keenan, a Bustleton resident and 1986 Archbishop Ryan graduate who has 18 years on the police force, has deep roots in Northeast Philadelphia. But the same can be said for the deli business. His family has operated Keenan’s Deli, at Robbins Avenue and Gillespie Street, for years.
With the debut of Pickles, he’s enjoying running the business instead of running behind the counter.
"It’s exciting and nerve-racking at the same time," he said.
The two partners were looking for an investment and began inspecting properties 18 months ago. Following a November settlement on the Rowland Avenue location, the duo opened Pickles on Jan. 3.
Keenan brought his family’s deli experience to the table, while Mission, a police officer for five years, brought catering experience and her homemade salads to the corner store. Even the barbecue sauce, they note, is homemade.
Keenan loves the deli’s location, especially since it’s not far from Father Judge High School. On weekday mornings, Judge boys come in daily for their breakfast sandwiches, Keenan noted.
"So for the tough months of January and February, we fared pretty well," he said of business.
Keenan’s 16-year-old son James was working behind the counter after school last week.
"Hopefully this will be a good experience for all of our children," Keenan said.
The owner/officers paid tribute to their families by naming some of the deli sandwiches after them. For instance, there’s the Perrone special, the Keenan special, and the Billy Blazer and the Jude Jumper, not to mention the Jimmy Jazzer and the Ryan Ringer — a spicy turkey and Monterey Jack cheese sandwich with lettuce, tomato, onion, sweet peppers and a chipotle ranch dressing.
They also give their police unit a nod with the Outta S.I.T.E. Sampler — mozzarella sticks, poppers, fried mushrooms, broccoli bites and onion rings.
The new business also has reached out to neighborhood schools, such as St. Jerome’s, where Pickles participates in the school’s SCRIP program. With SCRIP, people purchase vouchers to spend as cash, with a percentage of the money going back to the school or helping with student tuition. The deli also hopes to do a hot lunch program for St. Katherine’s School.
Another community endeavor on Keenan’s list is to get involved with local ball teams. He’s also looking forward to the Pennypack Park Music Festival concert series, held every summer in the park’s band shell. The entrepreneur thinks the well-attended concerts could be good for his deli business.
"As a business owner, I want to give back to the community. I would love for them to come in and try us," Keenan said. ••
The deli is open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday; and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Call 215-332-6232 or fax orders to 215-332-6212.
Reporter Diane Villano can be reached at 215-354-3036 or dvillano@phillynews.com