Nonna’s Deli finally opens tomorrow- Saturday October 6th- on Reily Street here in Midtown- directly across the street from the Midtown Cinema-

Having grown up in the same area as owners Ray and Grace Diaz- I’ve been anxiously awaiting the grand opening of a real-deal authentic Jersey Style deli – right around the corner.

Will I be there tomorrow morning? You bet!

Here’s a brief one-on-one with Raymond Diaz- waxing philosophical about bacon, egg and cheese, the trials and tribulations of doing business in Midtown and being the first solar powered deli in Harrisburg-

JerseyMike- Let’s start with a bit of back story- so you guys are originally from New Jersey- would you care to share with us how you wound up in Harrisburg?

Ray Diaz- I had been with Wakefern-ShopRite in the transportation division for 19 years. I was hired away by a company here in the Harrisburg area. Grace transfered her job from New Jersey to here. We immediately noticed that there were things missing here in the Harrisburg area. Bagel shops, Italian Delis, real delis of any kind!, diners, car washes(not the do it yourself ones). When Harrisburg Magazine chooses Isaac’s as best deli and Olive Garden as best Italian food, methinks the area is missing something.

JM- Why did you decide to stay?

RD- We stayed because we had already invested in the city, and we wanted to turn our building into an Italian deli on 2nd street. We felt that we could start something great in a town that was turning itself around.

JM- Why did you choose the Broad Street Market and then Reily Street as your location?

RD- We went to the Broad St. Market because renovations on our 2nd St property would have been almost impossible. Barbara Skelly(former market master) welcomed us at the market with open arms. We had not been open maybe two months (December 2005) when some of our customers told us that we would be better off in our own place. By January 2006 we began looking for a new home in midtown. Our midtown customers had welcomed us so graciously and supported us so vigorously that we wanted to live in midtown and increase our business at the market. Unfortunately, instead of allowing us to expand at the market, the new management decided to reduce hours instead of expanding. About the same time the market reduced my income by almost 20% by closing on Tuesdays, our Realtor found us the building on Reily St. AND gave us the low-down on the Powers-HACC connection. It did not take us long to make a decision.

JM- Growing up in the same area as you- I remember fondly going to the local deli on a Saturday or Sunday morning and picking up the freshest cold cuts, breads and bagels- can we count on an authentic North-Jersey deli feel at Nonnas?

RD- Grace and I absolutely guarantee that Nonna’s will have the ambiance of the old time North Jersey Delis. Plus some technology (WIFI) and a combination of Italian music and New Jersey rock and roll. We are looking to have our customers say “Ahh, so this is what a deli is!!”

JM-What are some of the challenges you see in doing business in Harrisburg? What are some of the positive things you see about doing business in Harrisburg?

RD- Grace and I have found that the City supports the growth of small business. We have never had any difficulties in dealing with City Hall whether looking into our plans for 2nd Street, the Broad St. Market, or on Reily St. We have found that if you keep the lines of communication open with them, they tend to always give positive feedback, and following their feedback tends to get you open quicker. Probably the most positive thing we have found in the City is the consistent support we have received from the midtown community. It has been incredible! I know that they appreciate the work that we do, but Grace and I are honored by their continued good wishes. There are great people in Midtown. It is also great to see the increased police patrols (courtesy of HACC), and the support we get from the city’s uniformed services.

JM- Can we look forward to more Nonna’s locations in the future?

RD- Let us open the first one! But it is a thought! I always thought it would be fun to open a business in my old College town; Scranton. And no, I did not go to Marywood–except at night!!

JM- What will some of your staple items be?

RD- We will be adding on to our original Broad St. Market menu. More salads, sliced meats, desserts, beverages, fresh sausage from NJ and Chicago.

JM- Will you be open for breakfast?

RD- Bacon Egg & Cheese on a roll with Medium Coffee. Be there!! 7am!!

JM- What will your hours be?
RD- 7am to 8pm Monday thru Friday, 8am to 2pm Saturday. Sunday’s are a future possibility, but no promises.

JM- Will there be any specials? Daily or weekly?

RD- We will have daily specials. Look for Lasagna, Baked ziti, Fettuccine Alfredo, Stuffed Eggplant, Pesto and Pink Sauces.

JM- Will you still have the Sabrett hot dogs?

RD- Dogs and Little Jimmy’s Italian Ices are still on the menu.

JM- What about a good cup of coffee? What can we expect from Nonnas? What about desserts?

RD- Seattle’s’ Best Coffees, and we are refurbishing an old La Cimbali espresso machine for hi-style cappuccinos and espressos. We purchased a brand new dessert refrigerator. We will be stocking it well.

JM- Any closing thoughts? Did I hear something about solar power?

RD- The reason for our late opening is due to our desire to transform our building on Reily St. into something special. Renovations Inc. did an incredible job putting the entire project together. We have also installed Photo-voltaic cells on our roof. Right now our hot water system is powered by the sun. By the time we open between 60-70% of our electric requirements will be serviced by the PV cells on the roof. We have put alot of effort into the new Nonna’s. We sincerely hope that we can give back to all of our friends here in Midtown Harrisburg.