Noah's Deli in Dearborn closes its doors after nearly 50 years in business
A beloved Dearborn deli that was a hot spot for nearby Ford workers and the surrounding neighborhood has permanently closed.
Last Friday, according to a Facebook post, was the final day of Noah's Deli serving its variety of sandwiches, hearty daily soups, chili and other menu items.
Noah's Deli was well-known for its lineup of sandwiches, including its hot corned beef and pastrami along with a list of specialty sandwiches. It also served breakfast daily.
According to a Facebook post by the owner Teresa Bolan’s daughter, the decision to close was bittersweet and Bolan is retiring and moving on to a new venture.
"After working for 37 years and owning Noah’s for 13 and a half, Mom decided it is time to retire and move on to the next adventure," the post read.
The post noted that business hasn’t been the same for the small deli on Michigan Avenue, minutes east of Ford's World Headquarters, since COVID-19.
"Thank You (sic) to the few employees that stuck around all these years. Mom needed a village and you were there. And for that we appreciate everything. Restaurant work is NOT easy. It takes commitment, Thick skin and a really good sense of humor."
On June 26, 2021, Noah's suffered major basement flooding when overnight heavy rains deluged metro Detroit causing major flooding of freeways, basements and businesses.
“It was up to the top of the stairs,” Teresa Bolan told the Free Press at that time. "The entire basement was filled with water. I lost everything I needed to run that business. The water was up to the ceiling.”
The rains poured water into the deli's basement, where Bolan kept equipment, losing everything from meat slicers, a stove for simmering soups and chili, freezers and walk-in coolers.
During that 2021 summer, metro Detroit experienced more downpours and the deli’s basement flooded five more times, though not up to the ceiling.
A determined Bolan, who had insurance and had worked at Noah's Deli before owning it, got the business back together again and reopened her beloved deli.
Through the Facebook post, the owners also thanked customers for years of support.
"I really thank my customers, old ones, new ones, for being there for me. I am ready to move on and retire," Bolan, reached by phone Tuesday morning said. "I loved what I was doing."
Established in 1977, according to its website, Teresa Bolan bought the business nearly 14 years ago.
The small deli seated about 25, was open from 6 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday through Friday. It was an old-style deli of sorts, with stool seating around a U-shaped counter. Stacked corned beef sandwiches were the highlight at Noah's Deli. The Dinty Moore with corned beef, slaw topped with Russian dressing and Noah's Double Trouble were customer favorites. Noah’s was also known for serving breakfast.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Noah's Deli in Dearborn closes after nearly 50 years