ROCKINGHAM – Hudson Brothers Deli has been a popular gathering place in downtown Rockingham for 37 years and continues to thrive as new growth emerges all around it.
As many positive changes continue to occur in the area, Hudson Brothers remains a vital segment of downtown.
On Tuesday, The Rockingham Downtown Corporation awarded Hudson Brothers Deli its 2017 Featured Business Award. Hudson Brothers general manager, Robin Roberts, accepted the award on behalf of owner Rex Hudson.
Other nominees in the running were Kool Kakes Bakery and Café, Re/Max Southern Realty, and Sunbelt Distribution. This is the third year the corporation has presented the award.
“I’m excited to see Hudson Brothers win this award,” RDC president John Hutchinson said. “Like so many others, I grew up with Hudson Brothers as a fixture in my life in Rockingham. It has always been an important gathering spot for the community.”
Roberts said she believes the longevity of Hudson Brothers contributed to the business receiving the award but is quick to acknowledge everyone involved.
“It is a group effort,” Roberts said. “Everyone at Hudson Brothers works together to make it a success.”
Roberts has been part of the Hudson Brothers family for 27 years. Other employees, Diane Whitfield and Missy Cole have been with Hudson Brothers for 20-plus and 18 years, respectively.
“We don’t have a lot of turnover and that makes a difference,” Roberts said.
Roberts also noted that Hudson Brothers is a big family establishment.
“When I say ‘family’, I mean community family,” she explained. “Its nice to see that we have the loyalty of the community. A variety of businesses, civic organizations and clubs hold meetings here.”
Customers remember going to Hudson Brothers as youngsters and now bring their own children. Although Hudson Brothers is not open on weekends, Roberts stated that, “if there’s a fundraiser and they need a place to do it, we’ve helped them with that.”
Another longstanding tradition of Hudson Brothers is the live music offered on Friday evenings. Roberts said she grew up in Texas and was always around music. She wanted that to continue at Hudson Brothers, offering local bands a venue to share their talents.
“I’m not sure we realize just how important the restaurant has been to our local bands,” Hutchinson noted. “Robin has made live music an important part of her work. By giving bands a place to play and giving the community a comfortable, relaxed place to listen, Robin has made an important contribution to our community.”
Roberts was also recently elected as the vice president of The Downtown Corporation. According to Roberts, the purpose of the corporation is to bring more awareness and activity to the area, keep empty buildings filled, and promote shopping local.
“It’s people that want to better downtown, or Rockingham as a whole,” Roberts said. “You don’t actually have to be downtown to be part of the corporation.”
“It seems that everyone ends up at Hudson Brothers from time to time,” Hutchinson concluded. “And that is probably the ultimate compliment the community can pay the restaurant. It shows just how dependable, comfortable, good and well-managed it is. The Rockingham Downtown Corporation is proud to recognize all that Hudson Brothers has meant to our entire community.”
