Debbie sells the kitchen
Debbie's Kitchen changes hands on Wednesday.
It's official. After 25 years Debbie Klauber is selling Debbie's Kitchen. The deal is expected to be closed on Wednesday.
No, Debbie's isn't closing. But will it be the same without Debbie?
Really, how could anything be the same without Debbie.
And, what about the food?
Klauber says a lot of things will stay the same. The new owner is a guy named Tom Reiner. "He's a young guy," she says, "but he's very nice and really enthusiastic." She says Reiner plans to keep the name, menu and decor -- even the magic eight balls on the counter. "It's going to be a turnkey operation. I'm even leaving the art on the walls. I really love the people that come in here, and I wanted to leave them with some sense of continuity."
Debbie's has been on the market for a few years now. What did it go for? "No where near what you'd think," says Klauber. "But the time and the offer were right." Debbie's was listed for $299,000.
Klauber came to the Capital Region from Queens in the 80's. She opened Debbie's Kitchen on Lark Street in 1985 and moved over to its current Madison Avenue location about ten years ago. Debbie Klauber has since become as famous for her vibrant personality as she has for her creative sandwiches, soups and desserts. "I've fed thousands of people in the Capital District. I love it here because the people just accepted me for being the crazy freak that I am. I can make something with sauteed bananas and somebody will order it!"
So why sell now?
"You know, I'm in my mid 50's," she says, "and I get it. It's time to do something else. I want to get back inside my own creativity. I've been wanting to do this for a long time. I think part of the reason I've hung on so long is that I didn't want to disappoint other people. They'd say 'but what are we going to do without you?' and I wouldn't want to disappoint them, you know. But it's time for me to do something new."
Klauber plans to stay in the Capital Region. She's working on writing "The No Recipe Cookbook," a collection of favorite dishes and fun stories from her years in the restaurant and catering business. She's also looking into teaching and possibly doing some media or cooking shows. "In a way, I've been teaching for free for years with the young people who work in the kitchen."
Her advice to Tom, or "Mr. Debbie," as he recently introduced himself to a customer, "I just wish the guy luck. Make frickin' love to your food and then sell it. Be kind to people and have a little fun. Figure it out. I did."
(Thanks, Kim!)
Find It
Debbie's Kitchen
456 Madison Avenue
Albany, NY 12208
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Comments
Debbie will be missed. There will always be a place in my heart for the woman who introduced me to the joy of pickled beets.
... said Erik on Jan 18, 2010 at 2:42 PM | link
I wish Debbie nothing but all best, forever! She has brought an amazing touch and passion to her creations, as well a most gregarious, loveable personality. We should all be so lucky..best wishes to the new Owner as well..he's got a revered local institution to move forward with..and big shoes to fill!
... said Chef Kevin P. Everleth on Jan 18, 2010 at 3:04 PM | link
Hopefully Debbie will still make cakes. She made my wedding cake and it was fabulous....my mother a non dessert person still raves at how delicious it was, though not the normal looking wedding cake.
... said llcwine on Jan 18, 2010 at 3:36 PM | link
I'm pleased she plans to stay in the Capital district. She may no longer run the restaurant, but if she were to leave the area altogether it would be like losing Nipper; something so quintessentially Albany that the loss would be tragic.
... said Summer on Jan 18, 2010 at 5:03 PM | link
This is one of those "man I am so happy for her" and "WTF are we going to do without Debbie" moments!
I wish her all the best - she has been terrific!!!!!
... said Pam on Jan 18, 2010 at 5:20 PM | link
I will miss Debbie's Kitchen, but I look forward to the cookbook! Her sandwiches and salads are to die for.
... said Alison on Jan 18, 2010 at 5:47 PM | link
I'm putting in my order for the cookbook now!
... said Amanda Morris on Jan 18, 2010 at 8:24 PM | link
Wow!!!!!...the end of an era, the end of an institution, the end of a journey. Debbie's Kitchen first came on the scene 25 years ago, and Debbie came to the Albany scene years before that. She's been cooking delicious food and making people phat and happy for over 3 decades...and still it feels like we can't get enough.
Thank you Debbie for being a quintessential part of this community, for your scrumptious food, for your love of all things that taste great, for sharing your ideas and inventions, for being a generous employer and a strong and generous member of this community; for your support of great causes (so many non profits have turned to Debbie for donations and breaks and she was always there), for always saying yes, when you wanted to say NO (and those of us who know you best, know you almost always wanted to say NO but didn't) and thanks for your undying friendship and for always providing a place to land when it felt like there wasn't one. I am not sure what I would have done without you and Debbie's Kitchen....one question remains: Will you have to change your name now, or will you keep it Debbie Kitchen?
Congratulations. I am so very happy for you.
SRS
... said Sheilah on Jan 19, 2010 at 11:28 AM | link
The best Pumpkin Pie recipe I ever got was from Debbie's Kitchen, I have multiple copies stashed around the house and on my computer in case one goes missing - man I guard that thing with my life.
... said jess on Jan 19, 2010 at 12:48 PM | link
Can't wait to see the cook book. "Lucy---make a salad with this ____. Put a gulmp of mayo, a handful of sugar, a splash of apple cider vinegar. Mix. Taste. OK, put it in the case and get started on the lunch order of 9 #12's on whole wheat."
Anybody who goes there or worked there knows what I'm talking about. Debbie's a genius. She will be missed!!
... said Lucy on Jan 20, 2010 at 9:57 AM | link
debbie is super cool. She once gave me a ride downtown after my car was towed. really nice thing to do for someone she didnt even know.
... said PETE on Jan 25, 2010 at 2:12 PM | link
End of an era, indeed. For all of us who lived in Albany in the last 25 years, Debbie's will always have a place in our hearts. I was lucky enough to work there for a while after school. What an awesome place to work! From the boisterous Missy Elliot lunch rush to the chilled out baking evenings - I learned to appreciate great food - and great music!
Yes! Teach! Do a show! What ever you do - you've got the talent to bring down the house and the patience to be tough but fair. Best of luck to you Debbie!
... said Jenny on May 28, 2013 at 2:07 AM | link
I really like the new owners and having lunch here, but it seems they been closed for a few weeks now. Problem the end of this era too.
... said -S on Mar 5, 2015 at 4:41 PM | link