Zella's Deli to move from Asheville to Swannanoa in April; Imperial expands

Zella's Deli in downtown Asheville will soon make the move to Swannanoa.

In a March 15 Instagram post announcing the move, the deli said Imperial, the upstairs cocktail bar, will expand into the downstairs area that Zella's Deli currently occupies.

"The decision did not come easily, but we feel that it's the best," the Instagram post said. "Imperial, our cocktail bar and mezcaleria, which occupies the second floor of 48 College St., has outgrown its britches."

Zella's Deli will continue to operate at 48 College St. until March 23, the post said.

Zella's Deli is a concept from business partners Chef Michael Reppert and John Tressler. The business partners are also behind The Blackbird in downtown Asheville and Shiloh and Gaines on Hendersonville Road.

Bartender and general manager Drew Hendrickson alongside Ted Rautio and Darrick Teeter will work to expand Imperial into the space, according to the post.

Zella's Deli opened in downtown Asheville in 2022.

At the new location, Zella's Deli will continue to offer its current menu while also adding a dinner menu.

"We want to create a very simple, quality and consistent Italian spot that most of us grew up going to with our families," the Instagram post said. "We want it to feel like home. We will very much miss our loyal downtown regulars, but we will still be available on all the delivery apps, our online ordering, and we will even personally deliver if we can."

While a reopening date in Swannanoa has not yet been set, the Instagram post said the goal is mid-April. After March 23, there will be a "transition period" until the new location opens at 2372 U.S. 70 in Swannanoa, the former home of The Loot House.

This story will be updated.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Zella's Deli to move from Asheville to Swannanoa in April