Left In Lowell

The trend towards young entrepreneurs in downtown Lowell continues with Katie Kelley, the new owner of the deli formerly known as Quick Pickins. She’s renamed the business Groovy Grub, and not just the name has changed - but the decor, and the energy, as well.

I was looking for a place to eat a late lunch, and figured I’d head to Merrimack Street where I could find something affordable. And though the Groovy Grub sign is not yet up, the brighter interior paint must have caught my eye, because I had never been tempted to go in and check the place out before, despite the fact that it had been there (as Quick Pickins) for years.

I wound up exchanging a fun conversation with Katie, who is a bright, chipper, and energetic young woman who really just loves good food and serving it.

For ages I’ve been trying to find a good “soup place” - really, downtown, there’s only a couple of choices, like Olive That & More and Life Alive, both worthy in their way, but sometimes out of my price range. Now, there’s a third choice (today I had corn chowder) where you can get a soup and sandwich at a very affordable price. The deli also delivers to area offices. (Like that’s not a huge selling point for me in the middle of this frigid winter!) The soups are homemade, and they even roast their own turkeys for sandwiches.

The bright and cheerful (dare I say, groovy?) decor and Katie’s buoyant personality should make this old downtown haunt a great place to come and spend your lunch hour. Good luck to Katie in her new endeavor - and you can be sure I’ll be a regular customer!

It’s open Monday through Friday, 6am to 4pm for breakfast and lunch.