By Joe Capozzi
The Seaside Deli, the County Pocket staple that shuttered in January because of a landlord dispute, reopened on Feb. 10 under new management.
Whether the place will return to its former glory remains to be seen.
Missing, for now, is the actual deli where, under the previous management, friendly sandwich makers served up fresh food to customers they often knew by name.
Sandwiches are for sale at the new deli, but they’re pre-made, wrapped in cellophane and stored in a refrigerated pantry against the east wall. Also missing in the first few weeks since the reopening: beer, wine and cigarettes.
Mohammad Amin, a clerk at the store, said Feb. 23 that the store was waiting for licenses to sell alcohol and cigarettes. He said a formal grand opening was planned in March on a date to be determined.
Until then, plenty of soda and snacks are for sale. And Amin excitedly showed a reporter a new addition next to the register — an empty plexiglass display case awaiting a shipment of electronic cigarettes.
Leonora Belliard, an officer in a company that owns the building and brought Amin and others in to reopen the deli, did not return phone calls seeking comment.
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