As first reported by Dayton Daily News, a new business called Haymarket Deli & Sweets is making plans to open in Dayton’s Wright Dunbar neighborhood next spring. Husband and wife Shafton and LaShawn Greene, the team behind the Caribbean-inspired concept SOCA, will open the deli in the 1100 block of West Third Street.
Inside, the business will seat around 40 guests and feature a “traditional” deli feel, as well as having some modern touches, according to Shafton Greene. Additionally, Greene said that the concept has been in the works for the past two years, during which time he has been surveying the SOCA guests, and through his talks with the community, he saw a real need for a sandwich shop in the area.
“We think it will really fit the area and we want to pay homage to the neighborhood,” Greene said.
Named after Haymarket neighborhood, the business will feature sandwiches such as a meatball, Cuban, Reuben and serve freshly sliced turkey breast cooked in house. There will also be soups and salads, including vegan options. In terms of the sweets portion of the deli’s name, guests can expect to find cakes, candies and ice cream, along with a selection of boba teas. Additionally, the deli will serve a number of tropical teas and some drinks that aren’t found at other Dayton eateries, since they’ll be shipped in from Florida.
SOCA, which started as a food truck in 2020, moved into the W. Social Tap & Table food hall in 2022. The food hall was brought to the area by Dillin Corp., who is also investing nearly $3 million into renovating a pair of vacant buildings on West Third Street, one of which will house Haymarket Deli & Sweets.
The current timeline for opening the deli is by the end of March 2025, at the latest.
