Cedar Rapids staple to close later this month

After serving a quick lunch to those in downtown Cedar Rapids for 50 years, Emil's Deli will come to a close later this month.

The business will open for the final time June 27. Owner Dave Allick will instead help his sons, Nathan and Christopher Allick, as they have purchased the former Cork ‘n Fork and will continue to run Emil's Hideaway, 222 Glenbrook Dr. SE in Cedar Rapids.

He said he will miss the established friends and customers the business has developed over the years, citing the camaraderie as a highlight for owning the deli.

'You can't do something for that long and not enjoy it,” he said.

Allick 's father, Emil Allick, opened the deli in downtown Cedar Rapids in 1964 on Third Street SE. He said he grew up in the deli while his parents ran it for 12 years before he and his wife took over in 1976.

The deli location has moved around over the years, moving to the Central YMCA four years after the couple took over.

The business then moved to the lower level of the U.S. Bank building on Second Avenue when the YMCA relocated.

And in 2008, the deli faced substantial losses during the flood, forcing the then 44-year-old business to close and reopen the following summer.

During the flood, the deli had water 10 feet above its ceilings, Allick said.

But with help from family, friends and the bank upstairs, the business was able to recover and continue to operate for an additional five years before Allick chose to retire.

Those people, he said, have made the deli business worth it.

'It's been the camaraderie, the established friends, for years and years, and repeat customers,” he said.