Lovi Brothers Honored with UCC Small Business Award

Brothers Alex and David Lovi , owners of Agoura’s Famous Deli and also Pickles Deli in Newbury Park, were honored with a small business award by the Agoura/Oak Park/Conejo Valley Chamber. The brothers, originally from Transylvania, Romania, took over Agoura’s Famous Deli in 1995 and started Pickles Deli a year ago. The duo started Pickles because “Newbury Park needed a deli. There aren’t too many family restaurants in the Newbury Park area,” David Lovi said. The Agoura deli, which David Lovi said is the only kosher-style Jewish deli in Agoura Hills, was originally opened in 1990. “When we took over, the place was losing money,” he said. Now, the Agoura deli serves between 400 and 500 people a day and millions of customers a year. The deli is also consistently listed as one of the top 10 delis in L.A. in restaurant reviews. David Lovi said the turnaround is owed to a new menu and the “personal touch” the brothers brought to the restaurant. But the Lovis weren’t just honored by the chamber for their business finesse. The deli donates food and gift certificates to various community causes and events, including area schools and walks to raise money to fight breast cancer. “We are very much involved in the community with schools, churches, temples, helping the needy,” David said.”We want to give back to the community. They support us.”