Over the weekend, Gioia’s Deli shared an announcement on its social media accounts, letting followers know it will soon open a St. Charles County storefront. The forthcoming shop, which will be the fifth for the deli, will be located in the O’Fallon community of Winghaven, at 9955 Winghaven Blvd. The location formerly housed a Sugarfire Smoke House before that brand moved to a larger space in nearby Dardenne Prairie.
Coming in at 2,400 square feet, the Winghaven spot will be the largest location for the deli, which also has eateries in Valley Park, Creve Coeur, Maryland Heights and its original location on the Hill, which was founded in 1918. Winghaven menu offerings will be largely the same, and guests will be able to select from its hot salami sandwiches that range from the original to the Italian Trio, made with mortadella, Genoa and hot salami, to its other sandwiches like meatball and Italian-style roast beef.
However, owner Alex Donley shared that at each location the menu features one item that’s unique to that location and is typically a collaboration between Gioia’s and a nearby local business. Guests of the Winghaven location can expect the same, as he has hopes to collaborate with a neighbor for an as-yet announced menu item.
“Our goal is to do a collab with our next door neighbor Sweet Spot early next year,” he said.
Since The Sweet Spot Cafe’s menu features burgers, gyros and cheesesteaks, as well as a number of doughnuts and pastries, the forthcoming menu item should make for an interesting and delicious pairing.
In addition to the menu favorites, guests of the Winghaven location will be welcomed by the familiar, classic elements that are visual staples of the Gioia’s Deli brand, the hunter green color and use of wood in the space, along with the classic deli counter and white subway tiles.
Adding to the larger interior’s ambiance is vaulted ceilings, which Donley said gives it an airy feel not found in their other locations. The space has seating for around 40 guests inside, with Donley estimating an additional 20 to 30 seats will be available on the patio when it’s open.
“We’d been looking at St. Charles County since before Covid, but Covid slowed everything down. We love the area and people are so eager to support local,” Donley said of the neighborhood.
It wasn’t until Sugarfire made plans to move and the owners, who are friends with Donely, told him the space was available that he knew they’d found the perfect location. Donley took possession of the location earlier this month, the buildout is complete and with only some equipment installation remaining, the goal is to open by mid-December.
“Everything moved fast and the stars aligned,” he said of the process. “We’re really focused on making this a neighborhood deli and the St. Charles County community has already welcomed us with open arms,” Donley continued.
And Donley knows a thing or two about the importance of a neighborhood deli. Although the ownership changed hands since the original founding family started the Hill location in 1918, the Donley family has owned Gioia’s Deli since 1980, when Alex’s grandmother Arlene Donley bought it from its then second-generation Gioia family owners.
Over the past four decades, the Donelys have worked in the deli, with Alex’s mom, Cathy Donley, helping Arlene run the establishment, along with Alex, who become the owner in 2016. Alex and his wife, Amanda, have four children and although none of them are of the age to take over the family business just yet, he said the kids have always been a part of the process of choosing a new location.
“They’re the next owners, that’s the goal, so the legacy is already starting for them.”
This article appears in November 2024.