On March 13, Gus’s Good Time Deli celebrated 45 years of serving food to the Knoxville community.

“A bunch of people were here … We gave away a bunch of cake, a bike, some shirts and some hoodies. You know, just had a party,” store manager Aaron Hale said.

Located on Melrose Avenue, Gus’s Good Time Deli has been open since 1981, serving up amazing sandwiches and late night eats to a large demographic of customers.

“We are one of the few places left that does steam deli sandwiches, and it’s a Knoxville exclusive thing. It’s the only place, as far as I know, in America that does steam sandwiches, and that’s kind of what we’re known for,” Hale said. “But we’re also known for a lot of other things: burgers, Phillies, patty melts and our fries, of course.”

These mouth-watering food items draw in college students, local families and even Peyton Manning.

“When I first came to college, I realized that I hated the dining hall food, so I went to Gus’s for the first time in between classes, and they gave me extra pickles, and I love pickles … and they learned my name, and they always talk to me. I really appreciate it, because they really make you feel like you’re part of their community,” freshman Lane Boldrick said.

Forty-five years later, it is no small feat to be one of the last small businesses standing near The Strip, which has been populating various new chain restaurants and apartment buildings.

“You kind of worry, but you’re also really proud that you’re still here. It’s kind of scary that the way things have shifted. I think you lose some of the flavor and the soul in the area, with all of (the chain restaurants) being the same as every other interstate exit in the world,” Hale said.

Hale has been working and managing the store since 2001, and has seen the different generations of UT students find one thing in common: their love for Gus’s Good Time Deli.

“To me, personally, (Gus’s is) everything, it’s my whole life,” Hale said. “I’ve been here since I was 19, and I’ve spent countless 80-hour weeks here since I was 19. My whole family works here, and my wife does our social media, I have a nephew and two step kids working here … a lot of the customers I’ve known my entire life, you know, since I was a kid. Like, some of them have kids here now. So the generational aspect of it’s pretty cool too.”

Inside of Gus’s Good Time Deli, the generational aspect is not lost on customers. The walls are riddled with various vintage Vols paraphernalia, adding to the history and timelessness of this local sandwich shop.

“The employees are very close. They’re all talking with each other, and then they’ll bring you into the conversation. They’ll ask you about your life. And I always like to eat inside instead of taking it to go, because they always have something to say, and it always feels very personable,” Boldrick said.

With a combination of delicious food and a family centered shop, Gus’s Good Time Deli remains integral to the culture and history of UT.

“We just really appreciate everybody supporting us over the years, and shop local,” Hale said.