Marco’s Italian Deli is coming downtown. The popular deli with five area locations tweeted this week: “Coming Soon Marco’s Italian Deli to Downtown Buffalo! Genesee at Oak.” They put a similar message on their Facebook page:
While Marco’s did not specify the address of the new location, downtown insiders say they will be occupying ground floor space at Genesee Gateway. 4,020 sq.ft. of ground floor space at the corner of Genesee and Oak streets has been empty since the Gateway project was completed in early 2011. The balance of the first floor is occupied by the Passport Office.
Marco’s Deli is the brainchild of Mark Sciortino who purchased Darone’s Fargo Grille at 1085 Niagara Street in 1988 and renamed it Marco’s Restaurant. The first Marco’s Italian Deli opened in 1998 at 1744 Hertel Avenue. Marco’s Deli features sandwiches, salads, paninis, burgers, and subs.
In addition to the Hertel Avenue location which is now franchised, other locations have been added on Delaware Avenue in Kenmore, Maple Road in Amherst, Main Street in Williamsville, and Ransom Road in Grand Island.
Genesee Gateway includes 60,000 sq.ft. of office, retail space, and three apartments. Doug Swift partnered with the Wendt Foundation to rehab the block, piecing together five century old buildings. Flynn Battaglia architects designed the project.
What was once considered the fringe of downtown, the 100 Block of Genesee Street is seeing a flurry of development thanks to the Genesee Gateway project and the Catholic Health Administrative Center underway nearby. A couple hundred of loft apartments on nearby blocks help as well.
Marco’s will join long-time block anchor Eddie Brady’s and Rocco Termini’s upcoming Dog e Style at 128 Genesee Street. Fred LoFaso is seeking a coffee house or restaurant tenant for 130 Genesee Street and a development team headed up by Paul Lamparelli has commercial space planned for 112 Genesee Street.