Mike’s Deli-Mart owner says he won’t reopen

The fire at Mike's Deli, courtesy of Fire District 1.
The fire at Mike’s Deli, courtesy of Fire District 1.

The owner of Mike’s Deli-Mart said Sunday that he has decided not to reopen his Edmonds Way store, which was heavily damaged in a fire last March.

Mike Luke said he has concluded that his business “is no longer viable” and that he is currently in the process of shutting it down.

“As to the future of the property, that is up to the property owners, who have been upstanding individuals through my occupancy at their property, especially including the events relating to the fire,” Luke added.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Esperance and Snohomish County for giving me a place to do business, and thank both Esperance and Edmonds for all their generous patronage over the last 20 years they have shared with me,” Luke said.

Four adults and three dogs living in an apartment above the building escaped the two-alarm blaze that was reported in the Mike’s Deli Building at 3:50 a.m. on March 13. The Snohomish County Fire Marshal’s Office determined that the fire started in a mechanical area at the back of the building, but neither the county nor the private insurance company investigator could come up with an exact cause, said Snohomish County Fire District 1 spokeswoman Leslie Hynes.

Investigators estimated the damage to the building, located in the unincorporated area of Esperance, at $120,000, Hynes said.

  1. Sorry to hear this. Mike’s Deli has been a welcome part of our community and so much nicer to stop in there than at some big national chain. As a fellow small business owner, I prefer to support my neighbor! (I will miss the coffee too!) I’m sure the transition is very difficult and wish him the best in the future.

  2. Mike, thanks for all those convenient and friendly last minute purchases I made on the way home from work. Did it for as many years that you owned and operated your Deli. Knowing you and and trading at your business will be missed.
    I wish you well in the next leg of your journey!!!

    Ted Williams

  3. Mike you did a great job and Im sure you made a lot of friends in the process. When I sold you this business I knew you were a up an coming young man who would work hard to succeed and you did. Thanks for all your hard work and making all those payments even when times were tough.
    Lets not let ourselves get caught up in things we can’t change.
    Its a new day go and make it happen again.
    I believe in you
    Mike Eggerling

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