The Little Deli debuts on the North Side

Dean Zotis is a little worried. About three weeks ago he opened a (much needed) deli just off Western Avenue and business has been slow. His renovations took months but the pay-off is worth the elbow grease and expense. And his timing couldn't have been meatier.

Zotis has opened a squeaky clean take-out deli with an impressive selection of lunch meats, cheeses, breakfast items and sandwiches (Reubens, folks!). Many of the side items have a Greek flair: stuffed grape leaves, marinated Kalamata olives, Pita Land meat & spinach pies. The menu boasts deviled crabs and industry standard deli items such as coleslaw, macaroni salad and spicy wings.

"I listen to what customers want," said Zotis. "They say 'what about this' and I try to provide it. That's why I got the biscotti." He also brews fresh coffee and cappuccino.

But business is measured up to Zoti's expectations. However, a city plan announced in today's Post-Gazette may alleviate Zotis's concerns.

Reporter Rich Lord reports:

Efforts to create a business improvement district for a two-block area of Western Avenue got a boost from Pittsburgh City Council.

Council on Wednesday tentatively approved the transfer of $1.29 million among various Urban Redevelopment Authority programs. Among other things, the transfers allow the URA to commit $500,000 to Western Avenue improvements between Brighton Road and Allegheny Avenue in Allegheny West.

Business owners in the district would partially match public funding by assessing themselves a special tax, as Downtown businesses currently do.

The combined funds would support improvements in the streetscape, curbs and lighting, said John Canning, a North Side historian who supports the designation.

The funding shifts also move money from an under-utilized loan program for assisting businesses with equipment purchases, to a more popular program that backs commercial real estate transactions, said Robert Rubinstein, the URA's director of business development. The real estate purchase loan program, known as the Urban Development Fund, makes loans ranging from $25,000 to $250,000.

A final vote could come Tuesday.

In the meantime, Zotis shouldn't fret so much. Once the word gets out, North Siders should flock. Finding a good neighborhood deli is as rare as good roast beef.

The Little Deli

910 Galveston Ave., (near the Modern Cafe) North Side, 412-231-2678

Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.; Sat. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Open for Steelers home games.