About Ann
Biography
Ann Lezanic, a stalwart for children’s issues and founder of the iconic 9th Street Deli restaurant in Indiana, has been selected for induction to the Indiana County Business Hall of Fame, Class of 2024.
A native of Green Township, Ann personified Indiana County values of building strong families, in both her personal and professional life.
After graduating from Indiana Area High School and earning a certificate in early childhood development from Seton Hill College, Ann began her early career working for Coca-Cola, Penn Traffic, and First National Bank – a predecessor to today’s First Commonwealth Bank. Then for 18 years, Ann dedicated her career to service to children and families as a teacher and nutrition coordinator for Head Start.
Meanwhile, Ann’s family grew. She was one of eight children of the Flanjack family of Dixonville, and grew up in the Willard House children’s home in Indiana after World War II. With her husband Ron, she had two children, Kimberly and Mark, six grandchildren, and a great- grandchild.
But it was in 1982, at age 40, when Ann took her love of cooking to a new level and fulfilled a childhood dream of becoming a respected business owner. She bought the former Corner Cupboard store and started the 9th Street Deli in downtown Indiana, where she built a popular menu of 100 percent homemade sandwiches, soups, and salads. Ann and Ron also bought the house next door to be their home. They personalized the business and honored their children and friends by displaying the pennants representing the colleges they attended. Dedicated patrons added to the collection that now numbers more than 200, which remain on display four decades later under successive ownerships.
Ann managed 9th Street Deli and her family of employees with a personal touch and unheralded philanthropy on a daily basis, and also served Indiana in her personal time on the boards of the county housing authority, Indiana County Community Action Program, Chevy Chase Community Center, Head Start, the Junior Women’s Civic Club, and the county’s Children & Youth Advisory Board. Ann was honored during that time as the Indiana Businesswoman of the Year and Employer of the Year.
By the time Ann and Ron sold 9th Street Deli to the McCabe family in 2000, the eatery had developed a loyal clientele of college students, downtown shoppers, and workers from local stores, law offices, and the county courthouse. The diner was regarded as a Philadelphia Street landmark and an indelible part of the business community.
Ann died in January 2024 at age 82, only weeks after being selected for this honor. The Indiana County Chamber of Commerce is proud today to induct Ann Lezanic in the Class of 2024 of the Indiana County Business Hall of Fame.