Art Ginsburg, of Art's Deli, Dies at 78

Art Ginsburg, a longtime Studio City activist and owner of Art's Deli, died Wednesday. He was 78.

Ginsburg was very involved in the local community, and sat on the board of directors of the Studio City Improvement Association over the past year even with failing health.

(See memories and commemorations here: Mayor Garcetti, Others, React to Death of Art Ginsburg)

After a battle with cancer a few years ago, he passed the torch of his deli to his children after 53 years—it's one of the longest-running businesses on Ventura Boulevard (it opened in 1957.) His son Harold said he was delighted to take over the business at the time, but knew he had big shoes to fill, and Art was often at the deli greeting customers even after his "retirement."

Los Angeles City Councilmember Paul Krekorian is going to adjourn the Council meeting in his honor on Friday and will read his bio. 

Lunchtime at Arts on Thursday, the day before the scheduled funeral, was somber. None of the longtime employees would talk about Art, waiting for permission from the family, and one said, "We're still all sad."

Ginsburg told Patch many hours of stories of local history over the past three years, and said he has always loved living and working in Studio City. "I just want to be remembered for having a great place to come to sit and eat and talk," he said.

On their Facebook page,  https://www.facebook.com/ArtsDeli it says: 

Rest in Peace - May your journey continue.......

To observe a day of mourning for our family and friends Art's Deli will be CLOSED on Friday July 26. We will reopen on Saturday July 27.

If you have thoughts or memories of Art, please post them on the comments below, and stay tuned for more information.