Delilah's Soul Food, a Reading Terminal Fixture, Closes Suddenly

By Hadas Kuznits

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A well-known food vendor that has served customers at the Reading Terminal Market for nearly 30 years has closed down.

There's no more soul food at Reading Terminal Market -- at least "temporarily," according to a sign is posted at Delilah's.

Paul Steinke, general manager of Reading Terminal Market, says the future of Delilah's is unclear.

"Delilah's was closed last Friday, when the bankruptcy court shut the store down," he tells KYW Newsradio.

(Kuznits:) "Had they been paying their rent?"
(Steinke:) "Yes, they were current at the time they closed down."

The stand, owned by Delilah Winder, had been a fixture at the market since 1984.

"She made a real name for herself," says Steinke. "She was on the 'Oprah' show with the best macaroni and cheese."

And customers say they will miss Delilah's.

"It's sad. Hopefully they'll come back," said one.

"I'm very sorry to see the Delilah's go," said another.

But some are not surprised, saying that Delilah's rumored financial problems seem to have affected her food:

"They weren't giving you the same quality that they initially gave you."