Nearly Famous Deli changes hands

Nearly Famous Deli and Pasta House, which has roots dating back nearly five decades, is under new ownership.

Dan and Tiffany Brown acquired the 2708 S. Glenstone Ave. restaurant in Brentwood Center North from Nancy Miller, they confirmed on Wednesday after announcing the ownership change in a Facebook post. The deal finalized Aug. 25 for undisclosed terms, said Miller. 

Brown said he has worked in the restaurant business for around 30 years, with the last nine at Nearly Famous Deli both front and back of house. He said he'll be the hands-on operational owner in the business, and Tiffany will be behind the scenes in payroll and other administrative functions.

Brown charactered Nearly Famous as having ‘a "‘Cheers’-like atmosphere" with "good comfort food." He pointed to its popular quiche and egg salad dishes as mainstays.

"We're not changing a thing," he said. "If it's not broke, don't fix it."

Under his and his wife's ownership, Nearly Famous may explore adding more appetizers and expanded business at night in addition to its lunch offerings, and they'll be shopping around as they examine operational costs, Brown said.

"I think there's areas to improve on food costs," he said, noting plans to source products locally as much as possible.

Brown said the couple signed a new 10-year lease on the building with Jared Enterprises Inc.

Miller had owned Nearly Famous Deli since 2006, when she bought the restaurant from founder Suze Dunville Powell, according to Springfield Business Journal archives. 

"I've been considering this for a few years, but we finally talked the first part of this year and got the ball rolling and got it taken care of," she said of the sale of the restaurant that employs 14. "I wouldn't have done this if I didn't believe that I would have a good steward to carry on the legacy."

Miller said she would help transition the restaurant to the Browns through the end of September.

She said finding new owners in the Browns was key for the longevity of Nearly Famous Deli.

"This means so much to so many people. Generations of families have been coming to this restaurant," Miller said. "To have it just either not exist or go to somebody who doesn't understand how this works, that was not even an option."