What’s Going On

If you’re new to the Deli:

It’s business as usual in the midst of what’s not usual. Yes, you can order any sandwich, shop for item, taste anything your heart desires, and get the Zingerman’s experience. But things aren’t exactly the norm since we’re undergoing a major expansion project that’s visible through the back windows. That giant hole to the east of us is where a two-story addition will rise up by the end of 2011. Please come back again to enjoy the improvements!

If you’re a loyal Deli customer:

Thank you for your continued patronage through the project. You know the Kingsley tunnel, the Detroit Street picnic tables and lots of little adjustments inside the Deli and the Next Door aren’t the usual but you’re willing to have fun and be flexible along with the staff and we appreciate that a ton. We’re confident you’re going to love the improvements the project will bring to all of us!

What’s happening next:

Working backwards, here’s the timeline and sequence:
FINAL PHASE HAPPENS IN OCTOBER, NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2012
Once the Deli Addition is up and running, the final phase of construction inside the Deli can be completed.

  • Demo of existing kitchen & sandwich line
  • Transformation into Deli Retail space
  • Digging of basement to connect Deli to Deli Addition
  • Construction of connecting space between Deli and Deli Addition
  • Finishing all the interior spaces

SEPTEMBER 2012 MARKS THE END OF THE PHASE ONE
The Deli Addition will have an operational kitchen, sandwich line, and two floors of dining spaces and an upper deck!

AUGUST 2012

  • Compactor and Dumpsters
  • The Elevator
  • Kitchen Equipment
  • Doors

JULY 2012

  • Site Concrete on the Patio and Perimeter
  • Underground Drainage System
  • Sealing of Concrete Floors
  • Garage Doors
  • Windows
  • Interior Painting
  • Brick work
  • Lights
  • Rooftop work

  • Kitchen Equipment
  • Doors

JUNE 2012

  • Lights
  • Rooftop work
  • 420 Building complete!
  • Brick work

MAY 2012

  • LEED submittals
  • Brick delivery
  • Roof steel & metal decking
  • Fire protection
  • Stair construction

What’s happened so far:

This complex project was launched slowly, starting back in November 2010. Lots of work was done in the critical space between the Deli and Next Door in early 2011 and by summer, the focus of work shifted to the area east of the Deli where we can now see the base of the foundation for the addition.

That two-story structure will connect to the Deli building and house all kitchen functions and exciting new dining areas. Before long we’ll be able to see the walls of the addition. So come by and check out progress. Enjoy the photos on this website and some outrageous videos of the orange house being lifted into the air and moving.

Highlights of what’s gone on:

  • the fire damaged house on Kingsley came down
  • our entire driveway was torn apart
  • Detroit Street sidewalk disappeared and reappeared
  • the “orange house” was lifted up and moved off its foundation by professional house movers
  • a new foundation and basement were built for the orange house
  • the orange house was placed back on its new foundation
  • rain water retention tanks were installed in the ground and utility lines were run to the street
  • the whole driveway area was re-graded to have a gentler slope and become more accessible
  • a temporary “waiting” tunnel was built alongside the Deli on Kingsley
  • a satellite kitchen to support the Deli’s kitchen during construction was set up down the street in Kerrytown at Zingerman’s Events on Fourth
  • Zingerman’s Events on Fourth is a fabulous rentable space for catered parties through Zingerman’s Catering, 734-663-3400
  • Zingerman’s Events on Fourth is also the spot where the Deli’s holding its special dinners and tastings—yum!
  • the big hole east of the Deli is lined on three sides with super strong support walls consisting on deeply driven steel I-beams and stacks of wood beams that hold back the earth and keep the hole from filling back up with dirt
  • after the hole’s dug, the building starts from the very bottom, i.e. the base of the foundation walls
  • next, they’ll put in the elevator shaft near the Kingsley end and then run all the plumbing lines

How to Learn about the Project

  • This website has a blog, the project’s history, FAQ’s, photos galore, video, info about the build-out team, plans and drawings, press, and an archive of all the newsletter articles that have appeared since the beginning.
  • There’s also a bulletin board upstairs in the Next Door with drawings, information and photos.
  • Ask any staff person or email us at deliaddition2atzingermansdotcom
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