October 15, 2011 - 12:48pm
Zingerman's Deli receives approval to expand
BY BRIENNE PRUSAK
- Anna Schulte/Daily
Zingerman's Deli customers will no longer have to wait in winding lines and cramped spaces in order to buy a corned beef sandwich or one of the Deli's decadent brownies.
In a sweeping vote last month, the Ann Arbor Historic District Commission approved the expansion of Zingerman’s Deli located at 422 Detroit St. in a 6-0 vote. The plans include the demolition of a fire-damaged house, located behind the Deli at 322 E. Kingsley St., which will provide space for Zingerman’s to expand into a two-story deli.
While no one on the commission voted against the proposal, the vote did not come easily.
Zingerman’s originally filed a request with the Historical District Commission in June 2008 to expand the restaurant. The HDC did not originally grant Zingerman’s permission to demolish the house, which would be necessary for the expansion, because it claimed the house was a historical landmark.
HDC members changed their minds once Zingerman's demonstrated that the new project would be successful.
The project is estimated to cost $6 million, and is slated to be completed in July 2012, according to Grace Singleton, Zingerman’s Deli managing partner.
Though the expansion will cost millions of dollars, Singleton said the move “doesn’t feel risky” because there is so much demand for business.
Singleton added that the expansion will speed up food preparation and service, as well as offer more space for workers and customers.
Zingerman’s was founded in March 1982 by Paul Saginaw and Ari Weinzweig, with the help of two employees. Today, Zingerman’s is known throughout the nation and world for its specialty sandwiches and baked goods. The deli is also the second most visited place in Ann Arbor after the University, according to Saginaw.
Zingerman's currently has more than 600 employees, 17 partners and eight separate businesses — including a bakehouse, roadhouse and candy shop. Of the 180 employees who work at the Deli, many are students, Saginaw said.
Both Saginaw and Weinzweig graduated from the University and met each other while working at a restaurant in Ann Arbor. They both grew up in cities that have plenty of delicatessens — Saginaw in Detroit and Weinzweig in Chicago. When they noticed Ann Arbor was lacking in its number of delis, the two decided to form one of their own.
Saginaw said Zingerman’s is successful because he has a long-range vision for the business. In 10 years, Saginaw said he plans to have a total of 15 to 18 businesses in Ann Arbor.
Saginaw also plans to continue improving food service while contributing to the community.
“We want to make sure the community is better because of us,” Saginaw said. “We’re measured by what we contribute to our staff, customers and community.”
Zingerman’s gives back to the community by partnering with local boards, including Food Gathers, Safe House and Food System Economic Partnership. Each year, Zingerman’s also donates 10 percent of its profits to programs and food banks in Washtenaw County.
In a less obvious way, Zingerman’s contributes to the community by bringing traditional and new foods to Ann Arbor.
“Over the past 25 years we’ve changed the way people eat,” Saginaw said.
Saginaw added that Zingerman’s is guided by a set of governing principles: great food, service and finance.
In order to be successful, “customers have to perceive value in (their) product or service,” Saginaw said.
When the Deli asked for the permission to expand, Singleton said many people came out to support the request.
“It was comforting to see the community’s support,” she said.
LSA junior Alex Markel said she is happy to hear that Zingerman’s is expanding.
“I was born and raised in Ann Arbor,” Markel said. “It's such an institution here. I love seeing local Ann Arbor places thrive.”
LSA junior Chris Ambroselli also knew about the expansion and said he believes it will be a successful venture.
"I think Zingerman's is a good staple of what people expect of Ann Arbor, but it's kind of overpriced,” Ambroselli said. “However, I think people are willing to pay for it because of the unique Ann Arbor experience."
