The owner of Paul’s Deli plans to open a new restaurant in New Town by December. (Gregory Connolly/WYDaily)
The owner of Paul’s Deli has announced he will by December open a new restaurant in New Town in the space formerly occupied by the Green Leafe Café.
Paul’s Deli and Neighborhood Restaurant will carry over some of the staple menu items from his existing locations on Scotland Street — Paul’s Deli and the College Delly — like sandwiches, appetizers, burgers, salads and pizzas while also emphasizing a seasonal specials menu with 15 to 20 entrees changed daily, said owner George Tsipas. The price range used at both Williamsburg locations will also carry over to New Town.
“We are known for food; we are going to push that,” Tsipas said, noting he wants the New Town location and its prices to cater to families. He eventually plans to add a brunch menu at the new restaurant.
Tsipas is purchasing the building, located at the corner of Discovery Park Boulevard and New Town Avenue. He plans to renovate its interior, adding bench seating and tables along with a large chalkboard that will reflect the day’s specials. The patio section on the front of the building will also have a chalkboard.
Paul’s Deli and Neighborhood Restaurant will occupy the first floor of the former home of the Green Leafe Cafe’s now closed New Town location, pictured here. (Gregory Connolly/WYDaily)
“This is a very attractive building and it’s a great location,” he said. Like the Williamsburg locations, the New Town store location will contain flat-panel televisions broadcasting sports.
He is excited at the prospect of owning the building, as he is a renter at the two Williamsburg stores. He took over Paul’s Deli in 1987, becoming the owner by 1989. He purchased the College Delly in 2010.
The two Williamsburg locations serve food and drinks until 2 a.m. daily. While the New Town location will do that on weekends, Tsipas said he plans to close by 11 p.m. on weekdays. The New Town location will have a full bar, like its sister stores in the city.
“We’re looking forward to working with a lot of New Town businesses and people,” Tsipas said. “It’s exciting for us going in there.”
He said he has been well supported by the community at his Williamsburg stores and looks forward to more of the same in both the city and New Town. The new location will use staff members from the existing stores, many of whom have worked for the restaurants for several years. Tsipas, who runs the restaurants along with some family members, said he considers these employees partners.
Tsipas’ third area restaurant will operate out of a space left vacant since the Green Leafe Café closed its New Town branch in December 2012. In March 2013, the building was sold to Union First Market Bank at an auction at the Williamsburg-James City County Courthouse.
The Green Leafe Café operated a large banquet room on the building’s second floor, however that will not be part of Paul’s Deli and Neighborhood Restaurant.
Tsipas said he plans to open for business in New Town by Dec. 1.
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