NEWBERRY — A Columbia favorite has made its way to Newberry: Groucho’s Deli opened its doors on Aug. 3 and has been non-stop ever since.
“They love it, people love it, glad it is here. We have had people come in from Clinton and surrounding towns say glad you are here, great food. That is what we strive to hear, that the food is great, and people love it. Love the taste of it, and if we are not hearing that we are doing something wrong and we have to change things,” said Ryan Gunwall, owner of Groucho’s Deli Newberry.
Gunwall became interested in owning a Groucho’s Deli franchise after eating at the one in West Columbia. He found a brochure and began reading up on it. He said he had been wanting to open a restaurant and decided to contact them.
“I found the opportunities they had and started looking here in Newberry. They assisted in finding a location and getting everything started in opening a restaurant,” Gunwall said.
Gunwall worked for 12 years in law enforcement with the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office and the Newberry City Police. He said he knew Newberry needed a good restaurant, and a different choice other than fast food.
“I knew this was a lot different than fast food. Even though it is a faster choice, you do not have to sit here for an hour to eat, it is good food, it is fresh. It is a lot better than hamburger and French fries,” Gunwall said.
Gunwall grew up in Columbia, and went to the University of South Carolina for two years. If you grow up up in Columbia, you hear about Groucho’s in Five Points. He said he had an aunt who went to USC and always talked about Groucho’s.
Gunwall said it was easier to open a franchise than he anticipated. Groucho’s Franchise came by to make sure Newberry was a viable place and once they did, they thought the same thing Gunwall did: Newberry needed a good place to eat.
“Then we just looked for the best location and then we found this location (2828 Main St.), got everything purchased to move into this location and got everything set up,” Gunwall said. “One of the great things about working with the Groucho’s Franchise, they gave us help from finding a location, to ordering napkin holders, salt shakers and the equipment in the kitchen.”
Gunwall added that they are very involved, and help guide them.
“That is what we liked. We did not want to come into something and just open a restaurant and not have that kind of guidance, not have the right kitchen equipment, not have the right kind of food and they helped with all of that,” Gunwall said.
Since opening, Gunwall said business has been better than he ever thought it would be. While Gunwall does not really have a favorite menu item — he likes it all — he says the STP and Apollo are popular items.
Gunwall’s family has been a huge help with the business, from his parents, Tom and Anita, to his three children Kailey, Ashlyn and Aiden. He said everybody has pitched in, especially when they first opened.
The community could soon seen Groucho’s at community events plus they are doing a Groucho’s Player of the Game for Newberry High School and Newberry College through WKDK.
Groucho’s Deli of Newberry is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. Stay connected with them on social media, with the handle @Grouchosnby on Twitter and Instagram and on Facebook, GrouchosNewberry.
