Traditional, authentic, and never steering from their trustworthy reputation, Marden Continental are a one-stop shop for fresh produce and quality service

For Marden Continental owners Sam and Francesca Gallarello, being a part of their local shopping precinct is as much about serving loyal customers as it is about dishing out the odd cooking tip. After 18 years of being the face behind the infamous deli, the couple share with us what it means to be an integral part of the Marden community.

For readers who may be discovering Marden Continental for the first time, can you tell us where you’re located and what role the deli plays within the local community?

We’re located in the Marden Shopping Centre on the corner of Portrush and Payneham Road – you can find us next to the nice fruit and vegetable shop on the corner. We’re also a big part of the Italian culture in the area and further east, so there’s a lot of Italian families, new and old. A lot of the families, their grandparents and parents used to come here, and now they’re coming in here as well so it’s really nice to get to see the generations and watch young parents’ children become adults who also shop here now.

As a family owned and operated business for 18 years, can you share how the business began and how it has evolved over time?

The business was established when we purchased it in 2008, but we didn’t change much – I’m someone who believes if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. However, we’ve made a lot of improvements and changed a lot of items we sell over the years, and we’ve become more flexible too. If our customers ask us to get something in and it’s viable, we’ll do our best for them; we aim to cater to different budgets and families so that there’s something for everyone.

What do you think has been the key to building such a loyal customer base and becoming a trusted local institution?

Getting to know the customer. I think we know 95 percent of our customers’ first names, what football team they barrack for, what they do for work. You see the same people behind the counter every day and you cultivate relationships with everyone, it makes it really enjoyable to come to work. It’s also amazing how many people will come in and ask for cooking advice –it’s nice to be involved in some little ways.

our offering spans premium deli goods, everyday essentials, and catering – how would you describe the Marden Continental experience, and what makes it a true one-stop shop?

We’ve got everything you need – all of the basics, and all of the knowledge, with good, authentic service. We pride ourselves on being a traditional continental deli. Whilst other business owners have moved away from this conventional style deli towards cafés, we’ve stuck to our traditional store, service, and fresh offerings. Our motto? Sliced fresh is best.

Looking ahead, what excites you most about the future of your business, and how do you hope to continue serving and growing within the South Australian community?

I was a truck driver for 30 years before I decided I needed a change… and this came along, and we thought we’d go for it. Eighteen years after throwing ourselves in the deep end, we survived thanks to word of mouth and the families who continued to shop with us. We look forward to continuing to offer quality products and service to our community.

Marden Continental
28/1–21 Portrush Road, Marden
08 8362 8088
@marden_continental