New owner for Oskar’s in Lacey

Oskar’s German & European Deli has a different look after new owner Tess Millar decided to renovate the deli, creating more space for its loyal clientele.

A shift in deli cases and shelving for grocery items has now provided seating for 36, plus more room for customers to order their food or peruse the shelves.

Millar took over Aug. 1 after previous owner Peggy Scott decided to retire, she said.

Millar, 58, got to know Scott because Millar used to manage the former state liquor store next door. “I just made the leap,” Millar said, adding that she never would’ve opened a new business in this economy, preferring an established one instead because of its existing customer base.

Millar also has been a longtime caterer on the side, serving food at mostly private functions. Those who tried her food urged her to go into business, she said.

Oskar’s was opened in the early 1960s by Romanian Oskar Weiss, Millar said.

The business has been in its current Lacey location since about 1989 and has built its reputation on some standout German food.

Millar said Oskar’s is known for its potato salad, its Reuben sandwich, its soft pretzels, its baked goods, such as apple cake and chocolate cake, as well as its sauerkraut, German meats and schnitzel, a thinly pounded breaded pork loin served with mushroom gravy and spiced apples.

Popular grocery items include its red cabbage with apples and pickles.

Millar also said that a candy sold under the brand name Ritter Sport has been flying off the shelves. The potato salad was popular in Scott’s day, too.

“In the summertime, I go through 150 pounds of potatoes a week,” Scott told The Olympian in 2008.

Millar has plans for the business. It needs more decorations, more baked goods, including sugar-free and flour-free options, and she wants to offer more European dishes, inclunding food from Italy, France, Spain and Russia, she said.

Location: 720 Sleater-Kinney Road SE, Lacey. The deli is across from Fred Meyer and next to a liquor store.

Years in business: Opened in the early 1960s.

Employees: Two, both of whom speak German.

Hours: 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturdays. Every third Friday dinner is served from 5-8 p.m.

Did you know? New owner Tess Millar was familiar with the deli because she used to manage the former state liquor store next door.