On Oct. 26 Iona students noticed something markedly different about North Avenue. Across the street from the courtyard, the North River Deli, better known as “Deli Mart” or Saturday.”  Deli Mart is not truly a sidewalk café, as the store has no outdoor seating or substantial use of the sidewalk.  The official reason why Deli Mart is closed, therefore, requires further clarification.

What does not need clarification is the anger students have for the new operating hours.  A sophomore wishing to remain anonymous started a Facebook group encouraging students to sign the Deli Mart petition.

This anonymous student believes that “Everyone should sign the petition because the deli is not harming the students by being open into the early morning.  What is unfair is that a pizzeria like Cannone’s can be open until 3a.m., but the deli has to close at 11 p.m.  The Deli Mart is important, even more important than Cannone’s, because it provides medicine and an ATM to students if they need something past 11 p.m., two things that are crucial particularly on institution.”

The controversy surrounding Deli Mart’s new hours of operation does not seem like it will be quickly resolved.  Many players, such as New York State, The City of New Rochelle and the New Rochelle Neighborhood Association, appear to favor the new hours, whereas Iona students do not, seeing a 24-hour deli as a crucial thing to have near campus. 

While only time will truly tell whether Deli Mart will regain its old hours of operation, any person – Iona student, faculty, staff or walk-in store customer – who feels particularly strongly should sign Deli Mart’s petition to New York State to regain its 24-hour status.