CHARLOTTE, Mich. — The new Sidestreets Deli is taking shape on Cochran Avenue in Charlotte.
Their sign was delivered on Wednesday morning, and, Thursday, the long-awaited deli case arrives.
This is what was holding up their opening, according to owner Dave McNamara. Now, he predicts, they'll be open by Feb. 20.
The original Sidestreets Deli opened in 2012. Now, 9 years later, they are expanding.
“It should’ve been one week later. People were like, ‘You gotta have a bigger place!’” McNamara joked.
They're adding a bakery, a selection of cheeses, the entire line of Boar's Head products and new menu items. McNamara said his inspiration for the inside of the new deli is New York with a little bit of European flavor. His wife, who was born in Italy, had a large influence.
“I worked in New York in the deli business, and I actually went to a bachelor party in Las Vegas a long time ago, but I went into New York, New York and when I saw the little streets of New York City, it reminded me of when I worked there. And I was like, ‘Wow, this would be a great idea if I ever do a deli again,’" McNamara said.
McNamara decided several years ago he wanted to expand but couldn’t find the right spot.
“There was already businesses in this location, but because of COVID, unfortunately, this became available, and I’ve always had my eye on it because I like the look of the front. And, I thought, ‘Well this would be a nice spot.’ And it already had the adequate square footage," he said.
McNamara is tight-lipped when it comes to the details of the new deli, as he doesn't want his employees to be overwhelmed during the first week they're open.
“We are taking on a lot of new things that require a lot of skills… If I were to be inundated with customers on the first day…I have a lot of new employees and young employees that would be very frustrated, and customers would be frustrated as well, because we might not be able to serve them.”
He estimates there will be indoor seating for about 60 people. With COVID restrictions, however, it will be kept at 25 percent capacity. McNamara says the new hours will be Monday through Saturday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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