No doubt about it. Downtown Statesboro has become a hub of what's up for quite some time. That was not so way back in 1972, when my wife-to-be and I left Savannah for Georgia Southern. More family followed, as well.
Quite the quiet hamlet at that time, the college had an enrollment of about 6,000 students, of which most were education majors. But things change — half a century will do that.
The Bank of Statesboro, with its prominent location by the courthouse, was an empty shell. Same for the Jaeckel Hotel. Silent but for ghosts of Blind Willie McTell and "Drummers" selling their wares.
The Nic-Nac Grill and Restaurant, Akins Hardware and Franklin Chevrolet, were icons on East Main Street. Today we have the Averitt Center for the Arts, while the Jaeckel has become City Hall, with the Small Business Development Center at GA Southern in that same footprint!
Across the street from City Hall, yet another "hot spot" will open soon.
Wise Guys Deli & Bodega will unveil something unique, the likes of which we've simply not seen locally. Co-owner Rachael Garrard is teaming up with AJ Jetwani and Garrett Riggleman to make her dream come true.
Having graduated from Georgia Southern, Rachael worked in a family-owned enterprise, Duffy's Deli of Rome, Georgia, which has been in the same location for 48 years. She fell in love with the heartbeat of a real deli, passionately serving loyal customers and meeting their needs.
While re-visiting Statesboro, an epiphany struck. Here and now. Sort of an "if you build it, they will come." She bounced the idea off AJ, who then suggested bringing-in Garrett. The triumvirate was complete, and the moniker "Wise Guys" adopted.
AJ is the owner of Tandoor and Tap in Statesboro, and his "can do" attitude lends a promotional flair with contagious insights. A native of Chicago, his penchant for classic, pearl white Cadillacs hints at possible Deli décor.
Garrett, a native of northern Virginia, moved to our area in 2012 and loved the hub of Savannah, Statesboro and Pembroke. He will be the "culinary maestro" behind the scene. Wise Guys will of course, "do it fresh" by making their own sauces, condiments and other special creations.
Ah yes. The "B" word — Bodega — as in Wise Guys Deli & Bodega.
The Spanish term originally meant a storeroom, wine shop or cellar, yet also entails apothecary and boutique. Most are located on street corners of New York and other large cities.
Picture a smaller, comfortable neighborhood convenience store, serving coffee and delicious handmade sandwiches. Essentials such as ear buds, aspirin, basic groceries or first aid supplies, and snacks enable customers to fill a need without leaving for that massive store further away.
Wise Guys will offer several deli dishes, including a Reuben, hearty meatball sub, and a ham and turkey deluxe.
Keep an eye peeled for the grand opening.
Hadley Campbell is a long-time Statesboro resident and a freelance writer for the Statesboro Herald.