Towards the end of East Broad Street in Hatfield Borough, tucked behind the old firehouse, is the Trolley Stop Delicatessen. From hoagies and Tastycakes to lottery tickets and Rosenberger’s iced tea, the Trolley Stop has been a Hatfield icon for over 55 years.
North Penn High School’s very own athletic trainer, Melissa Rosenberger, has owned the delicatessen since June 2019. Being the third-generation owner, she has taken on the great legacy left behind by both her parents and grandfather.
“We are known to be the local, family-owned, and staffed business around the corner. Our recipes and ingredients are very similar to what they were 50 years ago with some necessary additions and changes to freshen up the place,” Rosenberger said. “But what we may be most famous for is our founder, Reds McGinn. Everyone who knew him loved him and many came in just to see him. He left a legacy that no one can recreate, but we’ll continue to try as long as we’re blessed with his business.”
Being located at the heart of Hatfield Borough, the Trolley Stop has not only benefited from the devoted locals but has been a key member of the community throughout the decades.
“Some of our customers have been coming in for 50 years and others are just walking through the doors for the first time. We treat each one of them like family and remember many, many names,” Rosenberger said. “The Trolley ties us to Hatfield in so many amazing ways. From working with and donating to the borough in the community projects to catering local events and delivering lunch to businesses. We’ve been able to provide meals to many North Penn athletic teams and helped with hoagie fundraisers as well.”
Like many other small businesses, the Trolley Stop was negatively impacted by COVID-19. But like any other small-town hero, they continue to fight on.
“Our takeout was helpful to many people when their options were limited. We offer curbside pickup, participate with Grubhub to deliver to those who can’t get out, and we’ve increased our cleaning regimens,” Rosenberger said. “We did have to shorten our hours due to lack of business and revenue. We were lucky enough to qualify for a couple of grants that really helped keep us afloat. The business hasn’t been easy for the Trolley Stop since the competitors came to town, but we’re fighters and know that our community wants and needs us around.”
With the upcoming holiday season, and in a time of uncertainty, it is small traditions and community which continue to keep us united. The Trolley Stop continues to serve customers with the utmost service, dedication, and most importantly, smiles.
“We would like to say ‘thank you’ to our community. Our community is why we are still in business and we look forward to serving our customers for many, many years to come. I grew up working at the cash register with my Grandpop and I want my son to be able to do the same. Our community and customers are our families. We support each other and for that, we are blessed and thankful,” Rosenberger said.
(This article from Mary Forbes at the Knight Crier has been reproduced with permission from North Penn School District.)
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