— Matt Cook

ALTAMONT—The owners of popular hangouts in Altamont and Westerlo are hoping to sell their stores as soon as possible.

Sally Ketchum, who, with her husband, Tom, owns the eponymous deli, convenience store, car wash, and gas station in Altamont, and the deli and store in Westerlo, told The Enterprise that she and her husband are trying the sell the businesses.

The Altamont store is listed with a Realtor, Ketchum said; the family is asking $985,000 for it.
"We haven’t had a single bite yet," Ketchum said. "It may be too high."

The 200 Main St. property in Altamont is assessed by the town at $185,400, although Ketchum contested that assessment at Grievance Day Tuesday. (See related story.)

The family intends to sell the Westerlo store privately, she said; it already has a potential buyer.
"He was actually in my class," said Ketchum, a former school teacher at Berne-Knox-Westerlo.

As other local businesses have risen and fallen, Ketchum’s has remained strong.
"We bought Altamont in 1973," Ketchum said. "That was during the gas crisis. That was a lot of fun."

The couple bought the Westerlo store in 1989.

Despite periods of poor business due to roadwork, Ketchum’s never laid off employees, Ketchum said.
"We always knew things would get better and we would need them again," she said.

The backbone of the clientele at Ketchum’s over the years has been its loyal regulars. During afternoons, Altamont villagers gather at the deli or on a bench outside the store. Later, a different group of regulars shows up.
"We have the old man’s club at night," Ketchum said. "A bunch of them just come and socialize."

Though she said she has enjoyed the business, Ketchum is looking forward to having time to herself. Now, she works non-stop, she said, opening and closing the store every day, including holidays. Often, she said, she leaves work at 2:30 a.m., and she hasn’t been able to take a vacation in years.
"I need a break," Ketchum said. "I’m too old. I don’t want to die behind the counter."

If the stores are sold, Ketchum plans on using her free time to clean her attic and ride her horses.

— Nicole Fay Barr contributed to this story.