Memories Deli to provide another dining option on Main Street

Hungry on Main Street? Fear not, for more help is coming soon.

Scott and Lori Gorman have been busy renovating the old gym at 202 W Main Ave. into a friendly, open, airy space which will be the home of "Memories Deli and Hidden Treasures." An existing set of partitions neatly splits the space with a long hallway that distinguishes the two functions apart from each other, but also gives easy access to both. A perfect set-up for what they have in mind.

And what is that? On the Deli side: wraps, sandwiches, and salads available-either as grab-and-go or in-house. Drinkables include a Coca-Cola fountain or individual bottles such as iced teas, lemonade and the like. Every morning a cooler will be filled with freshly made wraps, same as were offered in the Memories Diner, and which will be sold at half-price during the last hour of the day. Salad alternatives may be specially ordered and made at the time of purchase.

The Deli is a large open space bounded by a floor–to-ceiling brick wall across from windows facing the "Treasures" side. Booths from the nearby old Palms restaurant provide seating along both sides. Between, tables and chairs come from a Gorman-owned storage unit that is full of both known and unknown furniture items and "treasures." Emphasis is placed on old stuff that is cleaned and put into service, such as a sink from the 1950s obtained at a yard sale.

Lori promised that "nothing matches" among tables and chairs in the deli, and all are for sale any time. Scott laughingly pointed out that in the event a patron is seated at a paid-for table or chair, and the new owner comes to claim it, it must be given up. The point is that both the deli area and the treasures area will be subject to a continuous change of furniture and items that are for sale and replaced with treasures from the storage unit.

The plan is for the Memories Deli and Hidden Treasures to be a showcase for items from Ritzville history and a draw for tourists visiting the area. When you go, be sure to notice the old suitcase-type Victrola. Lori said they have thousands of records to play.

The Gormans hope to open for business by May 15, and may consider a soft opening even if all is not yet in place.