by KILTIE TOMPKINS
McCoy’s Deli is a newcomer to downtown Lexington.
But at the one-year anniversary of its opening, deli owner Chris McCoy finds himself in the midst of Lexington history.
On Saturday, McCoy’s St. Patrick’s Day
grand re-opening celebration will be complemented by the presence of
93-year-old Jeanette Ewing, who has owned the building since 1943, McCoy
said. Ewing will hang a commemorative plaque while McCoy’s
simultaneously kicks off its celebration with a ribbon cutting ceremony.
Ewing and her husband built the building, 167 S. Main St., in 1943, at which time they opened White Front Grocery. Ewing still owns the building, but a different sign now hangs on the window.
McCoy’s Deli moved into the building on Jan. 4 after Main Street Market’s departure. From last March until January, the deli was in the Summit Square Shopping Center off Walker Street.
“When we opened a year ago, a downtown location was not available,” McCoy said. “But we always wanted to be downtown.”
Due to more visibility and heavier traffic, McCoy said business has greatly improved since the move. He now gets more student business on weekends.
Even though the deli moved in January, McCoy decided to hold off the grand re-opening until St. Patrick’s Day. For the event, the deli will feature Celtic dancers from the Lexington School of Dance from 2 until 4 free of charge. From 5 to 7, the Poison Bottom Boys, an Appalachian music band from the area, will play while customers dine on traditional Irish cuisine of corned beef and cabbage.
“We will take the opportunity to showcase our business…and to thank our customers for a year of patronage,” said McCoy, a native of Lexington. He has been in the management and hospitality business throughout his career.
McCoy said the deli relies partly on local doctors’ offices and other businesses that order lunch for all of their employees on a routine basis. The deli has other regular customers as well, some of whom are students, McCoy said.
Fliers and word of mouth are promoting the McCoy’s grand re-opening this weekend, and the Lexington-Rockbridge County Chamber of Commerce newsletter, The Beat of Lexington, also featured a release about the event.
Produced by Washington and Lee journalism students.
Lead supervisor: Prof. Claudette Artwick
Reporting supervisors:
Technical supervisor: Michael Todd