Dora the Explorer welcomed patrons on the opening day of the S&E Market at 3200 Schley Avenue on Saturday, July 11. Folks from the neighborhood surrounding the market were treated to free hot dogs, soda and water. Community leaders and an elected official were on hand to wish the deli’s owners much success.
S&E Market, at the corner of Schley and Vincent avenues, held its grand opening with visits from Assemblyman Michael Benedetto and Community Board 10 economic development committee chairman Jim McQuade, as well as hundreds of new customers.
Several hundred people stopped by throughout the course of the deli’s first day of operation. The deli stocks home cooked hot food, heroes, groceries, Boar’s Head cold cuts, health and beauty aids, ice cream and coffee, as well as breakfast and lunch specials and much more.
“We are doing exceptionally well on our first day,” said Michael Picaquadio, one of the owners, on July 11. “You never know what to expect until you are up and running for the first time. We have been working on this for two months, so we’re really happy our opening is going so well. We had at least one-hundred people stop by in our first four hours of operation.”
Picaquadio ran Mike’s Deli on Harding Avenue for 25 years. His partners include two seasoned businessmen who are just as excited as he is about their new venture: Seamus Carey, the owner of Green Castle Restoration and Management and The Wicked Wolf at 4029 E. Tremont Avenue; and Edward Kelly, proprietor of Consolidated Scaffolding.
Assemblyman Benedetto said that the opening of a new business such as S&E Market allows for a new focal point to be found where neighbors interact with one another while purchasing necessities.
“A deli such as this becomes a meeting place for the community within eight to ten blocks,” Benedetto said. “It is where neighbors come to pick up their paper in the morning. Neighbors end up getting to know each other over coffee, and relationships are formed.”
CB 10 economic development chairman Jim McQuade said that the deli typifies everything he has been preaching about the need to develop strong small businesses.
“The owners of S&E Market are investing in the community and it is strengthening our local economic base,” McQuade said. “They are employing people from the community, which is always a plus for a neighborhood.”
S&E Market includes an ATM and the deli accepts credit cards. It’s owners’ say it should soon stock cold beer and sell Lotto tickets.
“It is a very local business because there isn’t another deli in the immediate area,” said owner Seamus Carey. “It should be a plus for the neighborhood.”
