South Jersey Deli Suffers Major Food Loss After Copper Theft Damages Refrigeration System
A well-known family-owned deli in South Jersey is working to recover after thieves targeted its refrigeration equipment, leaving the business temporarily closed and forcing thousands of dollars’ worth of fresh food to be thrown away.
Somerdale Cold Cuts, a neighbourhood deli that has served local customers since 1976, is facing significant losses after copper wiring and piping were stolen from the outside of its building during the night of July 12. According to the business, the theft damaged the refrigeration system that keeps its food at safe temperatures, making it impossible to continue normal operations.
Owner Johnny Gabagool discovered the damage when he arrived at the deli. Although the suspects never entered the building, they removed enough copper from the exterior refrigeration equipment to disable both the walk-in refrigerator and the deli display case. Without working refrigeration, the business could no longer safely store its products.
The timing of the incident made the situation even more difficult. During the period when the refrigeration system failed, the area was experiencing extreme summer heat, with temperatures reaching around 100 degrees. As a result, large quantities of deli meats, cheeses, and other refrigerated items spoilt before they could be saved.
Gabagool said food safety regulations left the business with no alternative but to discard the affected inventory once temperatures rose beyond safe storage limits. The spoilt food filled a dumpster outside the deli, representing an estimated loss of about $20,000 in inventory alone.
The business is now waiting for replacement refrigeration equipment before it can reopen. New compressors had originally been scheduled for installation on July 21, but severe weather delayed the work, extending the closure.
At this time, the owner said he cannot confirm an exact reopening date, explaining that it will depend on when the new equipment is installed and fully operational. He remains hopeful that the deli will welcome customers again as soon as possible.
Gabagool believes the theft was carried out quickly, noting that some copper material was left behind. Even though the financial impact has been substantial, he said the business has received overwhelming support from the local community.
Several neighbouring businesses and loyal customers offered refrigerated storage space in an effort to help preserve some of the deli’s products. Gabagool expressed sincere appreciation for the community’s willingness to assist during a difficult time.
Among all the refrigerated items, only about 200 containers of the deli’s popular chicken salad were successfully saved. The owner described having to make a difficult decision about which products could be preserved while the refrigeration system was failing.
Copper theft continues to be an ongoing issue for businesses because copper wiring and piping can be sold as scrap metal. Law enforcement agencies have frequently warned that these crimes can cause property owners to suffer damages far greater than the value of the stolen metal, especially when essential systems such as refrigeration or electrical equipment are affected.
Despite the setback, Gabagool remains optimistic about the future of the business. He described the incident as a temporary obstacle rather than a permanent hardship and believes the deli will fully recover once repairs are completed and operations resume.
For customers who have supported Somerdale Cold Cuts over the years, the owner said the goal remains unchanged: reopening as quickly as possible and continuing the family tradition that has served the community for nearly five decades.
Sources
- Somerdale Cold Cuts (Official Facebook statements)
- Somerdale Police Department
