by Mary Jo David

There was certainly much hype in the lead-up to Deli on Main opening for business on Sunday, Oct. 5 at
124 E. Main St., in Stockbridge.

Folks had been hearing for months about the new deli, but earlier plans to open were hampered by
supplier limitations and licensing delays. To their credit, husband and wife owners Jennifer and Brandon
Devine went out of their way, through word of mouth and social media, to keep people posted on what
to expect. The community—and more importantly, the Devines—never gave up.

On Oct. 5, at 11 a.m., people were lined up when the doors opened. Once inside, the mood in the store
was light and friendly with patrons complimenting the product and beverage displays, the salad and
sandwich assortment in the coolers, the deli meats and cheeses, and the fresh produce and meat
availability.
“Love this idea!” “Anything for more food options.” “So glad for a new business opening its doors.”
These, along with about 10 variations of “We’re very excited!” were just some of the comments
overheard in the first hour the deli was open.

Deli on Main is licensed as a grocery store establishment and Brandon wants to set the correct
expectations with their customers.

“Think of us as more of a New York- or Chicago-style deli. When you walk into Deli on Main, you’ll find
freshly made sandwiches and salads already made and in the coolers, along with freshly cut deli meats
you can shop for,” he explained.

You’re also going to see produce in baskets around the store, bags of coffee beans, jars of honey, slabs
of fudge, and more. Because they are licensed as a grocery store and not as a restaurant, they cannot
take orders at the counter. Instead, you can reach into the cooler and grab a “Harvest Hoagie,”
“Stockbridge Pioneer,” or “Township Turkey,” to name just a few of the sandwich features. Salads run
the gamut—from the “Stockbridge Summer Salad” to a “Township Green Goddess.” In addition, other
specialties include the “Founders’ Charcuterie Board,” “Buffalo Chicken Bites,” and “Prosciutto-Wrapped
Mozzarella.”

When backed into a corner by this editor to pick a favorite, Jennifer picked the “Stockbridge Club,” but
Brandon was tougher to pin down!

Said Brandon: “I made the menu; I love everything!” But when forced to pick one, he admitted their
smoked brisket is his favorite.

The Devines are well suited for this latest venture. Brandon has worked in the hospitality industry for
30-plus years; Jennifer has more than 20 years in retail along with hospitality experience. They still own
a hospitality management company.

The couple spent three years scouting out the right location for their business and estimate that
licensing and locking in suppliers took about 60 days longer than usual.

“Up until very recently there hasn’t been a lot of purveyors and suppliers that come to this area,”
Brandon explained. “We’ve reached out to people we’ve worked with for a long time—Sysco, Lipari, and
U.S. Foods—to make this work.”

Jennifer grew up in the Dexter and Whitmore Lake areas. Brandon grew up spending time between
Livingston and Ingham counties. What he most recalls from his youth were the times spent visiting aunts
and uncles on big farms in the area.

“As kids, we visited each other’s farms. We sat around the table and broke bread together. Coming back
here meant returning to a place where people care about where their food comes from,” Brandon said.
As a 5-year-old, Brandon recalls his grandpa taking him up to Wellston, Michigan, where they ate in a
restaurant, and he had a pancake big enough to cover his entire plate. Sensing his excitement, his
grandfather finagled them a tour of the kitchen, and that did it. It sparked Brandon’s interest in the food
industry for life, and Deli on Main is an exciting new chapter.

Stop in and visit Deli on Main at 124 E. Main St. in Stockbridge. Initially open seven days a week (11 a.m.
to 8 p.m.), the deli will likely begin winter hours in November. Right now, that looks like 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
and closing one day during the week. Visit their Facebook page for up-to-date news at
facebook.com/delionmainstockbridge/ or visit their website at delionmain.com. Phone: 517-525-1525.

All photos by Mary Jo David, except where indicated.