New York-style deli to open in Braden River Plaza on Monday

Melanie “Mellie” Fernandez wanted to bring a slice of her hometown to Bradenton.

And what better way to do it than opening a true-blue New York-style deli?

Mellie’s New York Deli and Eatery, located at 4650 State Road 64 E. in the Braden River plaza, opens for the first time at 7 a.m. on Monday.

“Growing up working alongside my uncle in his delis in the Bronx, I knew nothing other than the real taste and smells of fresh New York bagels, heroes and perfectly stuffed sandwiches made with New York products by New York people,” Fernandez said in a release. “That is what you will find at Mellie’s New York Deli.”

The menu, available for dine-in and catering, includes traditional bacon-and-eggs breakfast dishes, New York breakfast sandwiches, cold deli subs and hot sandwiches and bagels.

Mellie and her husband, Lazarus Fernandez, moved to Bradenton roughly four years ago from Sarasota. The two viewed different locations throughout Bradenton before settling on the Braden River Plaza, which appealed to Mellie because it allows customers to step just outside of Bradenton and make them “feel as though you are in New York.”

Mellie’s New York Deli occupies a corner spot in the Benderson Development Co.-owned Braden River plaza. Other nearby retailers include Office Depot, Dollar Tree, Outback Steakhouse and Applebee’s. The almost 127,000-square-foot plaza was built 30 years ago, according to Manatee County property records.

The Fernandezes decided the time to open Mellie’s dream deli was right after their third daughter, Gianna, now just over a year old, was born. The couple has two other daughters, Ayanna, 9, and Alena, 7. The family will consider opening another Mellie’s location after a couple years if all goes well at Braden River Plaza.

“Right now we are making sure we do it right from the start at this location and as everyone will be able to see for themselves on Monday, I feel that we certainly have,” Mellie said in an email. “We are so proud to open our doors to the community and allow them to experience New York here in Bradenton.”

This story was originally published August 25, 2017 at 3:38 PM with the headline "New York-style deli to open in Braden River Plaza on Monday."