Jeremy Wright, 32, and Jacy Jaraba, 31, are having a big year.

The business partners plan to open Wright's Fine Foods & Deli at the Bijou Center in a week, about six months before they get married.

"It's a big year for us," he said, while prepping the 1,680-square-foot shop where Nik-n-Willie's was once located. "I'm excited. The time was right for us to go into business."

Going into business for themselves was always the long-term plan, after the couple met five years ago. She worked as a supervisor at Reflections Spa in Harrah's Lake Tahoe and still teaches fitness at Lake Tahoe Community College. He worked for Overland Meats for a decade, gaining much experience for venturing into the world of meat cases and wine buying.

Wright's Fine Foods will stock organic and natural beef, poultry and wild seafood. Along with about a handful of employees, the couple plans to make a variety of sandwiches. Hot sandwiches will feature warm buns, with the meat simmering on the steaming table. They'll be cut into a variety of sizes: 5-,
8- and 14-inch.

"It's not coming out of a microwave," Wright stressed.

They also intend to prepare four kinds of soup to go and two hot types behind the deli counter.

Lasagna and a number of salads - from pasta to potato - will also make the menu. Cheese, crackers and bread will be on display, as with natural spices and marinades. Jaraba is enthusiastic about offering the tastings of these items.

To Wright, one of the key advantages to the deli may be what's not being offered. In a push to make his business more eco friendly, Wright's Fine Foods will not use Styrofoam for takeout. Styrofoam does not disintegrate.
The shop will use paper and aluminum instead.

Wright's business has taken a $200,000 investment to remodel and install new equipment. Only the mixer, a few deli cases and sink were able to be salvaged.

The couple has committed themselves 24/7 to the project. And Wright's father, Steve Wright, visited from Florida to help his son with the woodwork and other remodeling efforts.

"He's pretty proud of me," Wright said.

It seems some residents are eager about the opening. Sarah Sheehy, who owns the Turn 3 bar, dropped in on Sunday to check on the progress of the opening.

"I'll be here," she said.

Grand opening

Wright's Fine Food & Deli is located at 3447 Lake Tahoe Blvd., location in South Lake Tahoe. Hours of operation are from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. People can read up on the offerings at www.wrightsfinefoods.com. Wright's can be reached at 530.544.8478.

View this article writen by The Tahoe Daily Tribune

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