One-story homes and American flags abound in the tight-knit, suburban-like neighborhood of Edgewater Park Cooperatives in the east Bronx.
Local deli’s, however, have been scant. Until now.
Board members with the Edgewater Park Owners Cooperatives are welcoming a new addition to the sleepy neighborhood — a sandwich shop that replaces one that closed over a year ago.
And owner Sean Ruane feels right at home, recently holding a soft opening for his deli named Ruane’s, housed at the former Frank & Sons Deli and Grocery.
“I’m here to serve the community, that’s the bottom line,” said Ruane, slapping cold cuts at his deli, along 1 Centre Edgewater Park Drive.
He’s been an indirect neighbor to many of the locals residing at the coops over the years, running into them at different social functions.
“I’m meeting more people who knew me from different events,” he said.
But Ruane’s vision as a new neighbor extends beyond just serving food — he said he intends to hosts social events and dole out scholarships to deserving students.
He also hopes to infuse his Irish background to the community, a culture that’s personally endearing to him.
“I’m very big on Irish,” said Ruane, who already has included some Irish fare to his deli menu that includes a traditional Irish breakfast, cookies and sausages.
Ruane is well known in Woodlawn, an Irish neighborhood where he tends bar part-time. He’s emceed the Yonkers St. Patrick’s Day Parade, leading marchers along the route.
“And this year you’re going to march in the Throggs Neck parade and lead them here,” joked his deli manager, Dominic Cipollone.
Cipollone is also credited for crafting the menu featuring Irish fare.
“We’re giving to the community what’s lacking,” he said. “You can’t go to a deli that offers an Irish breakfast.”
Potential customers had been anxiously stopping by the deli, wondering when it would finally open, said Cipollone. The wait, of course, is over.
Ruane’s is open seven days a week, Monday to Friday, 5 am to 9 pm, Saturday 7 am-9 pm and Sunday 7 am-7 pm. Free delivery is available.
Reach David Cruz at 718-742-3383 or dcruz@cnglocal.com.
David Cruz can be reach via e-mail at DCruz@cnglocal.com or by phone at (718) 742-3383
