Tampa deli owner reflects on five decades of lessons

In mid-June, rumors of the sale of Wright’s Gourmet House, a beloved Tampa culinary institution since 1963, to hospitality brand Caspers Co., were sizzling. Residents worried their go-to sandwich spot might be turned into condos or the menu compromised under new ownership. 

While the rumors of the sale are true, it appears, for now at least, Wright's will remain and retain what made Wright's Wright's. In an email response to questions from the Business Observer, Blake and Allison Casper of the Caspers Co. say "Wright's has incredible tenure and such solid brand recognition that we felt it should live independently."

The deal closed July 1. While financial terms of the business part of the sale weren't disclosed, Hillsborough County property records show Caspers Co. paid $7.6 million for the building. 

Caspers Co. is getting not only an institution in Wright's, but a lucrative business: the 55-employee company does $8.5 million in annual revenue. Jeff Mount, who sold Wright's to Caspers Co., purchased Wright’s from his grandparents, Marjorie and Jeff Wright, July 1, 1981. He paid $100,000 in installments of $1,266.76 a month over ten years. 

“Wright’s has always, always, always been part of my life,” Mount says, recalling his earliest days working alongside other family members at the age of twelve. In an interview with the Business Observer after the sale, Mount talked about rising in the ranks of the business, what lies ahead and his favorite Wright's bites. Edited excerpts:

What are some challenges you had to overcome in the last four decades as a small business owner?

Every time I overcame a challenge, it was me. When I was younger, I was a knucklehead. I didn’t know what I didn’t know. I wish I could tell you I woke up and was a wonderful person, but unfortunately it hasn’t been that way and I’ve had to learn things the hard way. 

Thankfully I’ve had great people steering me right and helping me work things through. My grandmother was tough. I like to say I went to the ‘Attila the Hun’ school of management. I can laugh about it now but 40 years ago, not so much. 

Also, I’ve got great staff. One of our cake decorators has emotional maturity that is off the charts. There have been times I’ve given ill advice, and she will offer a better solution. 

Why did you decide to retire now? 

I’ve put in a lot of hours over the years. Six days a week, 50-60 hour weeks for 43 years. I don’t even remember the last time I had a summer off. I want to take some time and have some fun. 

What does the next chapter hold for you?

I’m still mixing the ingredients together to figure that out. My wife Valentine and I will likely stay in Tampa as a base. We love it here, but want to travel and spend more time with our three adult children and five-year-old grandson.

I also want to get involved locally. I’d love to make changes to public transportation issues and continue working with inmates helping with re-entry back into society.

I keep thinking, “Who is Jeff Mount without Wright’s?” but isn’t that the adventure? To go and step out into the unknown and see what else is out there?

What are you going to miss the most? 

The staff. 

What are you the most proud of?

We’ve done a really good job of adding joy to people’s lives. We don’t sell sandwiches. If we’re selling sandwiches, we’re in trouble because a lot of people sell sandwiches. We’re in the experience business. Our job is to give somebody a great experience — for five minutes or half an hour — to make sure they have a good time and don’t worry about anything happening outside the door. 

Why did you decide to sell to the Caspers Co.?

I started thinking about transitioning out of the company back in 2020. I thought with 2021 marking 40 years that might be a good stopping point, but then the pandemic happened and I had to weather the storm. During that time, several people inquired about the business but only seemed to be interested in the receipts, so to speak. 

Blake is a good guy. He knows the business and grasps what we’re about, so it’s a good match for us.