Gourmet Deli to Open in Vacant Ramapo Centre Storefront
Mary Ann’s Gourmet Market will move into the former Mahwah Bagels and Gourmet, which has been empty since last July
It’s been about eight months since Mahwah Bagels and Gourmet was evicted from its spot in the Ramapo Centre shopping complex on Macarthur Boulevard. The eatery was the third vacancy in the center, and one local entrepreneur says he is eager to fill it.
Mike Flynn – a 22-year career chef who spent the last decade working as the sous chef at the Indian Trail Club in Franklin Lakes – said he wants to open his first business close to home.
“I live right next door, I could really walk to the store in about three minutes,” the 12-year resident said. “My daughter is a student at the Ridge, she’s gone to three schools up and down this road so far. My wife and I knew we wanted to open a business in Mahwah, in our community.”
Flynn said he is working everyday to get his new shop ready for an April opening. The chef is revamping a lot of what was already there to create a new concept that combines a deli, butcher, bakery and gourmet market.
Once it is complete and opened, residents will be able to stop into Mary Ann’s Gourmet Market – named for Flynn’s daughter – to pick up hot and cold prepared breakfasts, lunches and dinners, butchered meats, cold cuts, sandwiches, deli items, baked goods, cappuccinos and coffees, and gourmet and organic groceries.
Local baker Amy Lung – fresh off her appearance on the Food Network's Cupcake Wars – will be the on-site pastry chef. In addition to baked goods sold at the market, Mary Ann’s will also offer birthday, wedding and other specialty cakes, he said.
Flynn also said he plans to have a big-screen TV, free WiFi, and a mix of cafeteria seating on one side of the market, and “comfy seating,” with couches and large chairs, on the other.
“We really want people to feel comfortable, and to enjoy this place,” he said. “I think when it’s all done, it’s going to be pretty awesome.”
Flynn said his whole family is pitching in to help get the business up and running, and it’ll remain a family affair once it opens its doors.
“It’s 100% a family affair,” Flynn said.
And, once Mary Ann’s opens, it will be focused on the food.
“That’s really why I wanted to open my own place. I want to share my love of food with the people in my community.”
Flynn said he plans to officially open for business in mid-April.
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Starfall
9:31 am on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Can't wait. Good luck!
Amy K
9:31 am on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Wishing you all the best of luck! Congratulations.
T-Bird 148
9:31 am on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Welcome to the neighborhood and good luck!
Scott Esposito
10:24 am on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
We can't wait either!
Sandy
10:49 am on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Good luck! See you in April!
Gayle
10:51 am on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Mike is such a great guy and we wish him all the best in his new venture. Can't wait to sample all the great food!
Alyssa Marie
11:02 am on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
We can't wait for you to open! Welcome to the center from your neighbors at McArthur Ridge!
fastharry
11:19 am on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Glad to see you are coming on board...I would love to sugest an idea....There used to be a deli on Schrewsbury ave in Red Bank NJ...they served a breakfast sandwhich named "The Bull"..it had one egg, a thin steak-umm...cheese..and a hash brown pattie. I still remember it to this day....Best sandwhich combo ever...It was 3.89 and with a cup of coffee you were out the door for 5 bucks...and the place was always filled with people who bought it for breakfast...
No one in this area offers a sandwich like that...and I bet you would have the same success with it..
The sister to that one was "The Bear"...fried egg, link sausage sliced down the middle and cheese......Deee Licuous!...
Welcome to the 'hood!
I bet
Brenda Calandrillo
1:07 pm on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Can't wait for you to open! I miss the convenience of the store location. I'm sure many of the ol' regulars will come back, too - Lincoln Tech, the Mahwah PD, and the Fire & Police Academy. Congratulations!
Bill Goffredo
11:40 pm on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
I hope the new place does well. That is a GIANT location for a deli and I am sure the rent isn't cheap for such a large unit. I hope the volume stays high to account for the large amount of square footage for this place. The bagel place was always empty (literally - shelves and customers), so I hope this place has the right mix to bring the customers in. Best of luck Mike...
Gary Buchalter
11:40 pm on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Sooo excited!!!! Get my couch ready!!!!
Gary Buchalter
11:40 pm on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
I am the one excited to sit on one of the comfy couches sipping yummy coffee!!!
BC Lib
9:43 am on Wednesday, March 20, 2013
From what I have heard it will be more than a deli or a bagel shop, it will be a gourmet market. The owners have told me they are going back to the original concept of The Store II. They plan on staying open until 9pm to accommodate the community not just the corporations for lunch and having hot foods to go, a salad bar, produce, layer cakes, and dairy. There are comfy leather couches and free wi-fi, see you there Gary B.!
I look forward to the day I don't have to go onto the highway to get organic dairy, fresh veggies, a birthday cake, or cold-cuts! We look forward to your opening! Welcome to the neighborhood!!!
christie
11:19 am on Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Can't wait to have a place my kids and I can walk to for sandwiches, bagels and breakfast on Sunday mornings! Lots of luck to Maria & Mike!
M Schwartz
4:08 pm on Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Great news!! Congrats and good luck Mike, Maria & Mare!!
Sue
5:08 am on Friday, March 22, 2013
Great news! We need a deli back. Can't wait
Leaking Ink
5:17 am on Monday, March 25, 2013
I got hungry just reading this article. Can't wait to order.
Gloria DeStefano
4:12 pm on Sunday, April 21, 2013
can not wait for you to open, its about time we get a decent deli in our area; now we can shop nearby without going to route 17 in traffic jams every day, any time of day.
Best of luck to you both and I know you will be welcomed into our community by everyone in this area of Mahwah. Will you also sell some flowers as many of us are on the go and need some flowers to bring where we are going, good idea, might be worth a few bouquets!!
Society hill resident
Gloria DeStefano
4:12 pm on Sunday, April 21, 2013
I feel so happy to hear of this new Deli, best of luck to you all.
Can't wait!!
Society Hill resident