When she bought the convenience store in the small, suburban strip mall on Leominster Road four years ago, she remembers, “My parents thought I was nuts.” The daughter of Chinese immigrants and restaurant owners in New Hampshire, Candice is no stranger to the long hours and hard work that are hallmarks of owning a small business.

“In a way I was lucky that I didn’t know [what I was getting into,] she said. “I was learning how to do inventory and paperwork for all of the vendors at the same time I was waiting on customers. I made mistakes. A lot of them. It was overwhelming. But I didn’t make the same mistake twice.”

While Candice possesses obvious business savvy and a strong work ethic, working with people is her passion. Sterling Deli is typical of convenience stores pretty much anywhere, offering the basics — milk, eggs, bread, lottery tickets, beer and wine — but it’s Candice’s genuinely personal touch that sets it apart.

She greets regular customers by name and catches up on the latest news in their families. She knows their likes, dislikes and favorite items, and like any good hostess, she anticipates their needs. She doesn’t stock everything, but because she makes a point of knowing her customers so well, she makes sure she always has what they need — just as she knows she’ll be busy after a local baseball game and is always ready for the crowd that inevitably files through the door.

“People are busy, so they want to pick up a few things without having to drive all over the place,” she said. “And they can call ahead with their order and it will be ready for them when they come in. Nobody wants to have to wait if they’re in a hurry.”

“We sell the same salad vegetables we use in the deli to make our sandwiches, so they’re always fresh.” From its small kitchen in the back of the store, the bustling deli also offers a full Chinese take out menu for lunch and dinner, and though there’s no signage visible from the road that advertises this hidden gem, it is worth the search.