I’ve met Sarah Nicks on occasion as she grills up summertime shish-kabobs outside the front of Stadium Thriftway. Hot damn, those things are good. And with a beautiful Sarah Nicks at your service, you simply can’t pass up the good eats.

Nick’s been with Stadium Thriftway for more than three years, and just became their deli manager. She let me in on some future community efforts that are in the works for the deli department. It’s a secret for now, so I can’t tell you until she gives me the OK. In the meantime I probed her for the truth behind Stadium Thriftway’s Deli department.

STEPH DEROSA: You guys have a rockin’ good lunch crowd coming in everyday, correct? What are the most popular items?

SARAH NICKS: We sure do have a good lunch crowd. What most people order when they come in for lunch is Paninis and soup. 

DEROSA: Working here in the deli department, you have an excellent view of the produce. I’m wondering, Sarah, do you ever witness people fondling the fruit or trying to hit on other shoppers?

NICKS: Uh, no. You mean like in the movies when men pick up on women by the cantaloupe? You must be kidding. You think that really happens? No, I’ve never seen that.

DEROSA: You’ve never seen me shop in the produce then. I’m surprised I haven’t been banned from the banana section yet. 

NICKS: Good grief.

DEROSA: What if I worked here? Then I could be closer to the produce. Think I would work out here at Stadium Thriftway’s Deli department?

NICKS: Yeah, you would. Someone definitely has to have an outgoing personality to work here. We are very customer service oriented.

DEROSA: What if I just sat back there and nibbled on food, not lifting a finger, being nothing but useless? You know, like I do at the Weekly Volcano?

NICKS: We do let our new people sample the food, but if you were as useless as you are at the Weekly Volcano, then you probably wouldn’t work out. I’d have to fire you.

DEROSA: Could I take some bananas with me before I left?

NICKS: I would let you take all the ones you bruised up from all the banana groping you’ve already done since you’ve been here. And the ones you slobbered on.

DEROSA: Excellent.

[Stadium Thriftway, 618 N. 1st St., Tacoma, 253.627.8275]