Hometown Deli prepares for change in ownership

AU SABLE FORKS — Saying goodbye is the toughest thing to do for Hometown Deli owners Jim and Beverly "Bev" Seguin. The couple opened the local hotspot 12 years ago. It was always Jim's dream to own a deli and bakery. Through flooding from Hurricane Irene and an electrical fire, Bev and Jim still managed to make it work. They've decided to move on due to health and staffing issues. "This is a big part of our life we're losing — it's like we're losing a member of the family," Bev said. "It breaks my heart." Au Sable Forks resident Rose Robare said she loves their 99 cent Michigans. Robare visits the deli three to five times a week. "I love it here," she said. "I hope the food is as good with the new owners." Jessie Furnia, of Au Sable Forks, said while he loves the grub, he enjoys the company of the owners much more. "They're such amazing hard workers," she said. "I hope the new buyer will uphold the good reputation and good service they did." Jim said the community was what kept the deli going for the past decade-plus. Both Jim and Bev are hopeful the community will continue to be as supportive when they hand the keys over and step down as owners. SAYING GOODBYE The couple decided it was time to leave the deli nest after Bev had her knee replaced. The job requires being on your feet for long periods of time, she said, something that is no longer possible. Handling the business alone, Jim said, would be a struggle, especially considering reliable help was hard to come by. "The restaurant business is a tough business," Bev said. "It's no bed of roses — you have to work." The duo hope the new owners will have the "can-do" attitude and spirit to keep their business running for many more years to come. Since January, Jim and Bev have been searching for suitable buyers to take over the business. Right now, the couple is negotiations with a Keeseville couple to hand over ownership. If the deal goes through, said Bev, the potential buyers have indicated they intend to keep the Hometown Deli like it is now, but expand the bakery and offer new specials. "My hope is that they're as successful as we are," she said. No matter who the buyer is, Jim said, he hopes to stick around and help them run the place he and his family created. That changeover, Bev said, will take time. "We're going to be here for quite a while," she said. "You can't get rid of us that easily."

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Hometown Deli prepares for change in ownership

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