{"id":316820,"date":"2026-05-15T06:46:29","date_gmt":"2026-05-15T06:46:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/316820\/"},"modified":"2026-05-15T06:46:29","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T06:46:29","slug":"construction-begins-on-second-sams-deli-in-north-fresno","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/316820\/","title":{"rendered":"Construction begins on second Sam\u2019s Deli in north Fresno"},"content":{"rendered":"

Construction has begun in north Fresno on the second location of Sam\u2019s Italian Deli and Market<\/a> \u2014 which could be open to customers by this time next year.<\/p>\n

Sam\u2019s Deli said Wednesday on social media<\/a> that demolition work started at its new space in the Villagio shopping center at Blackstone and Nees avenues. The announcement comes more than two years after the deli announced it was seeking to open a store there.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s finally happening!\u201d the post says. \u201cAnd don\u2019t worry \u2014 our original First Street location isn\u2019t going anywhere. We\u2019re simply growing & can\u2019t wait to bring the same food, wine & hospitality to our new space.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sam\u2019s Deli opened 46 years ago<\/a> at First Street and Clinton Avenue. It has become famous for its sandwiches and array of Italian food products, including sliced meats, cheeses, breads and wines. In 2023, the deli was included in Yelp\u2019s top 100 U.S. restaurants<\/a> list.<\/p>\n

The business\u2019 new location is taking over space previously occupied by Sierra Nut House<\/a>, which closed its Villagio location in February and recently opened a new one in the Pavilion West Shopping Center<\/a> on Bullard and West.<\/p>\n

Sierra Nut House owner JoAnne Sorrenti told The Bee in 2024 she wanted to stay in Villagio but had no resentment toward Sam\u2019s Deli owner Nick Marziliano, who she called a friend.<\/p>\n

The deli\u2019s social media announcement says its Villagio location could open by spring 2027.<\/p>\n

New Sam\u2019s Deli location in Fresno will have Roman-style pizza<\/p>\n

Marziliano told The Bee on Wednesday that customers will be able to access the same products at both of its locations. At 9,500 square feet, the Villagio location will be similar in size to the original.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut we will actually be doing more baking at the new location,\u201d Marziliano said.<\/p>\n

He said the new location will also offer Roman-style pizzas \u201cpala\u201d pizzas. \u201cPala\u201d refers to the wooden paddle used to handle the pizza.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s something new and different that we\u2019re not doing at the original store,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Marziliano said he is still waiting on some permitting and is getting contractors in order, but he has already started buying the equipment for the new store. He said he will be in Chicago for the next three days buying new equipment.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s getting exciting,\u201d he said. \u201cNow, really, the work begins.\u201d<\/p>\n

Related Stories from Fresno Bee<\/p>\n


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Erik Galicia<\/a><\/p>\n

The Fresno Bee<\/p>\n

Erik is a graduate of the Missouri School of Journalism, where he helped launch an effort to better meet the news needs of Spanish-speaking immigrants. Before that, he served as editor-in-chief of his community college student newspaper, Riverside City College Viewpoints, where he covered the impacts of the Salton Sea\u2019s decline on its adjacent farm worker communities in the Southern California desert. Erik\u2019s work is supported through the California Local News Fellowship program.\n <\/p>\n