W. Main St. Deli... on to American Tobacco?

Word from the ABCDdurham listserv: The W. Main St. Deli, which has served up sandwiches and the like at the base of the Hill, make that CCB, make that SunTrust, make that future boutique hotel tower... has closed. (If you didn't dine there, you missed out on some reasonably priced and quickly-served sandwiches and other lunchtime grub from a friendly staff.)

The listserv rumor is that they'll be moving to American Tobacco, with "more space and extended hours." Great news for the ATC if true, but it leaves a hole in the downtown fabric, which needs more rather than fewer places to grab a bite to eat.

Unfortunately, besides the streetscape renovations (which have hurt a number of downtown's local businesses in the short run), according to a post by Ben Greene to the ABCDdurham list, another culprit in the move was the 500-lb. gorilla of downtown revitalization: Greenfire Development. As Ben put it, excerpted with permission:

I had a long chat with the Main Street Deli folks about a month ago. Basically, Greenfire would not allow them to renew their lease, didn't return phone calls, wouldn't discuss the idea of upgrading to a larger space, and generally just didn't come to the table.  For a long time the Deli rented month to month.  This uncertainty, combined with the lost business due to construction and a lack of nighttime customers, is what caused them to be interested in moving to American Tobacco.

However, at last I spoke with them, moving seemed significantly less likely than what David has said.  I really hope he's right, but I got the impression that it was much more likely that they would move out of Durham entirely, most likely to Charlotte.

This all came to a close when the Deli was informed two weeks ago that they would not be allowed to continue leasing into May.  There was a final week of business, some people came to buy some of the restaurant equipment, and now we're left with a huge void.  Ironically, I saw one of the Lemansky brothers eating at the Deli not three weeks ago.  Yet the burgeoning development company apparently didn't see the need to help the Deli stay in business.    I've also seen City Manager Patrick Baker eat there as well--I sent an email to his office a month ago to request an audience on this exact topic, but unfortunately I never heard back.

I personally use to eat at Main Street Deli a minimum of once a week, and there were weeks I ate there every day.  I won't soon forget how Greenfire ignored a popular small business, not to mention leaving numerous properties devoid of use, all the while clearly being too distracted as they focus on their grand plans.  All I have to say is this--I hope they produce something soon, because I'm not so hopeful it can make up for what we lost.

Comments

[Blazer Manpurse, BFA]

As a (clandestine) representative of the aforementioned development company, I must take take exception with your description of us. We're much more than a "500 pound gorilla of downtown revitalization."

We're at least 800 pounds, man. Get the facts straight.

[mike]

Downtown needs places open at night that people will go to. It is my guess that Main St Deli was not able to offer this, and Greenfire wisely decided that they needed someone else. I agree that it is hard to sit and wait while they have so many unused properties, but I still think they are the only hope for the city center. I would like there plan to come out soon so we will know what to except. I hope they are not slow. However, at least they are far better than Alliance who plans on sitting on Bargain Furn for like 3 yrs or something before doing anything. At least Greenfire potenially has a real long-time plan.

[JDC]

They won't keep "West Main Street" in the name if and when they move to ATC, will they? 'Cause that'd be silly.

[John LoManto]

When my father and I opened the W. Main St Deli 7 years ago our only real goal was to provide the people of downtown Durham a decent place to eat. As much as this is a sad day we made alot of friends along the way. We always tried our best to run a very friendly, ethical business at a time that alot of people were not big on downtown. I would also like to thank all of our "regulars" over the last 7 years.

John LoManto

[Matt]

I've not exactly been a regular, but I've eaten at the West Main Street Deli, and I'm glad it's been there. Enjoyed the food, too.

We need businesses like this downtown (affordable and friendly lunchtime options) as much as we need the more visible restaurants at American Tobacco and Brightleaf Square. It would be a shame if, in the end, the only other small-budget option we were left with was McDonald's. (And even McDonald's has its place.)

While downtown is changing, during the day much of it is still populated with government and small business employees and those visiting city and county government, and that's not likely to disappear.

Do the downtown development plans allow for a continuation of this "old downtown?" Or will high-end developments eliminate the space, real or metaphorical, they have occupied, in favor of higher-profile alternatives? I'd rather see both exist side by side than see either dominate on its own.

Restaurants like this deli, like the Legacy Tower cafeteria mentioned earlier, will never get the excitement and press of some of our new developments, but in a healthy economy there should be room for them too.

[Dave S.]

I'm sorry I didn't ever get to the West Main Street Deli, and I hope that it, or something similar, does find its way to Ambacco. Apart from the pizza-by-the-slice at Mellow Mushroom, it is difficult to get a sub-$10 lunch here. I keep thinking that we need a Subway, even though I don't really like Subway. (And there's a Subway in the basement of the County municipal building, anyway). Anything not squarely aimed at the "creative class" and Ambacco wheelers-and-dealers would be nice.

[Bull City Rising]

John: Thanks for coming and posting. I'm sorry about your closing -- please do let us know here if you do decide to re-open in Durham, so we can update it here on the blog and let at least folks know who come by here that you've re-opened.

I agree with so many of the comments that we need reasonably priced places for "everyday" lunch that fit everyone who works downtown... not just the 'Ambacco' (thanks Bacon!) types or whathaveyou. Personally, I try to make it over to the Subway at Heritage Square at least every couple of weeks (terrific guys working there who I'm glad to support with my lunch dollars), and I used to go to the W. Main St. Deli once a month or so. Wish I'd gone longer.

For every Rue Cler, we need more Blue Coffee Cafes, W Main St. Delis, or Legacy Tower cafeterias. Heck, look at what downtown used to look like, with cafeterias, diners, and coffee shops. We need to keep that as a part of a vibrant downtown.

[KeepDurhamDifferent!]

This is no great loss, though I remember it well from my time working in the commercial loans dept. at CCB (a client of Accenture). Great sandwiches.

Rest assured that Greenfire will do something with the space that you will like. With respect to the perceived lack of eating options for the proletariat, there's always the mexican joint down the street, which makes a mean breakfast burrito with chorizo.

With the revitalization of downtown will come plenty of eating options for the common man, including (gasp!) a couple of taco trucks and hot dog stands, open late at night for those who can't endure the line at Piedmont.

[Bull City Rising]

Well, Greenfire's responded -- in print, over in the Herald-Sun's Sunday Buzz column:

'The West Main Street Deli has closed after a six-year run in downtown Durham, leaving a wake of blog speculation that the business was forced out by building owner Greenfire Development.

Not so, says Greenfire.

"We were as surprised as everyone else," said Anna Branly, a spokeswoman for Greenfire. "They decided to close the business. We didn't ask them to leave or terminate the lease."'

Posted without comment or opinion to present at least what Greenfire's saying in the press.