POULSBO — Five years after starting the New York Deli, Rick and Janice Rey are passing on the torch.

The Statue of Liberty’s torch that is.

Poulsbo residents Lynn and Phil Melendrez recently bought the delicatessen from the Reys. After being loyal patrons of the eatery, the couple said they want to keep it the same popular place — from the Boars Head meats and the fresh-baked breads to, yes, even the scale-model Statue of Liberty out front.

“Absolutely, that’s part of the deal,” Lynn said with a chuckle of the popular Viking Avenue landmark.

The Reys are a regular fixture at the New York Deli, so it was only fitting that the two couples met over food. Stopping in at the deli by himself one day, Phil ordered halibut and chips and was hooked. He called Lynn and told her to bring their three kids (another one is now on the way) over to try the food.

“That’s when we met the Reys and we originally just talked to them about being Christians,” Lynn said.

The Melendrezes also own a Christian preschool in Finn Hill.

It wasn’t until about four months ago that the topic of selling the business came up. The Reys had been told that it can take as long as two years to sell a business, so they decided to put it up this year. A few months later, Phil asked to try working at the deli for a few weeks to see if he liked it.

“Phil thought if he was going to do this, he wanted to learn the whole business and so he started with the dishes and worked his way through and learned it all,” Rick explained.

“I couldn’t think of anybody better to take over the business,” Janice added.

Throughout Phil’s trial at the deli, during which he jokes he was paid in Phillies, both couples decided they were a good match.

“It’s such a good turnover,” Phil said. “We’re very like-minded people. It feels like we’re family members working together.”

“We really have grown to love these people. It’s more than a business deal,” Lynn added.

Besides the same menu offerings NY Deli patrons have come to crave, the new owners will be adding new temptations.

The Reys had experimented with pizza but found it became too popular and consumed too much kitchen space. Phil and Lynn said they’ll be bringing the same pies back for another run.

They’ll also be expanding their bread and bakery selections, including cookies, New York-style cheesecake and even fat-free scones and breads. And New York Deli breads may even start popping up at other places around town, as the Melendrezes plan to wholesale bakery items.

“We went into a coffee shop recently who told us they’re having trouble finding good bagels and then ones we left with them sold out in a day,” Phil said.

Hours of operation will also change to 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day. Previously, the restaurant opened at 7 a.m., closed earlier and was not open on Sundays.

Business delivery is also planned.

And as for the Reys, they both said it will be hard to leave but they’re looking forward to a lot of sleep. They plan to stay in the area and spend time with their 6-month-old granddaughter and 16-year-old son. After that, they don’t know what’s in store for them.

“I’ll be semi-retired for a few weeks until she gets fed up with me and kicks me out of the house,” Rick said with a laugh.