Burlington’s beloved Henry Street Deli Mart, a cornerstone grocery and sandwich shop located at 11 Henry Street in the heart of the Old North End, has officially transitioned to new ownership. Partners Mojo Hancy-Davis and Jordan Lewis have taken the reins from Peter and Sawyer Sansom, who successfully operated the deli mart for 13 years. This change marks an exciting new chapter for the neighborhood favorite.
For Mojo Hancy-Davis, this venture is a natural progression in his established Burlington culinary career. Known for co-opening the popular seasonally-inspired May Day in 2022, also situated in the Old North End, Hancy-Davis brings a wealth of experience to Henry Street Deli Mart. His background includes tenures at August First and Misery Loves Co., and he received significant recognition as a 2022 James Beard Award Best Chef: Northeast semifinalist for his innovative cuisine at May Day.
Jordan Lewis, the other half of this dynamic duo, is a familiar face in Burlington’s hospitality scene. She will continue her role as a bartender at Zero Gravity Craft Brewery while co-managing Henry Street Deli Mart. Her deep roots in the Burlington community and passion for the deli make her a perfect fit for this new endeavor.
Mojo Hancy-Davis and Jordan Lewis take over Henry Street Deli Mart in Burlington, Vermont
The opportunity to purchase Henry Street Deli Mart arose unexpectedly, according to Hancy-Davis. Lewis emphasized their motivation stemmed from a desire to preserve this vital neighborhood establishment. As long-time Burlington residents and devoted patrons, they couldn’t bear to see it close. Lewis also expressed a personal desire for a new challenge beyond bartending.
Hancy-Davis highlighted the immense potential he sees in Henry Street Deli Mart, describing it as a choice with “limitless potential” for growth and community impact. While acknowledging his fondness for May Day, he felt that this new direction aligned more strategically with his broader life goals.
Since taking over, the new owners have already begun to implement exciting updates. They’ve installed both an oven and a flat-top grill, signaling an expansion of their hot food offerings. The menu has been thoughtfully updated to include enticing new sandwiches like a pork belly bánh mì, and they’ve introduced the flexibility for customers to substitute tofu for any protein, catering to diverse dietary preferences. Looking ahead, Hancy-Davis and Lewis are eager to elevate the deli mart further by introducing house-baked goods and broadening the selection of market items available for customers.
Despite these planned enhancements, Hancy-Davis reassured loyal customers that they are committed to the core values of Henry Street Deli Mart. “We are not trying to chef it up,” he stated, emphasizing their intention to “double down” on what already makes the deli mart a beloved community hub – providing quality groceries, delicious sandwiches, and a welcoming neighborhood atmosphere.
