Kosher Deli Moves to Clayton after Creve Coeur Closure
Nate’s Kosher Deli, which took over the Creve Coeur location previously occupied by Kohn’s Kosher Deli, has closed its doors in planning for a relocation to Clayton. Nate’s opened in August, setting up shop temporarily in Kohn’s former location at 10405 old Olive Street Road while owner Avi Rosenberg found a permanent space.The deli served its last customer in Creve Coeur on December 15th.
Rosenberg has yet to announce an official opening date for the Clayton location. Mario Smith, Nate’s butcher who previously worked at Kohn’s, acknowledged that business at Nate’s had been “okay” but not as bustling as Kohn’s had been during its heyday. Smith remains optimistic that the move to Clayton will bring increased foot traffic.
“Who’s going to feed everyone?” Smith said.“no one does kosher like Kohn’s and Nate’s.”
Kohn’s closed its doors in July following a lawsuit filed by Mid Town Distribution LLC,an Illinois-based food distributor.The lawsuit, filed against Kohn’s ownership company Bayk Kohns LLC and one of its members, Yehuda Kestenbaum, alleged nearly $150,000 in unpaid bills for goods delivered earlier that year. According to November court documents,Mid Town Distribution and Bayk Kohns LLC have reached a tentative settlement agreement.
Attempts to reach both Mid Town Distribution LLC’s lawyer and Kestenbaum for comment were unsuccessful.
## Filling the Void: An Interview with NateS Kosher Deli
**Archyde**: mario, thank you for joining us today. The closure of Nate’s Kosher Deli in Creve Coeur has been a disappointment to many in the community. what led to the decision to close that location?
**Mario Smith**: Well, it wasn’t a lack of love for Creve Coeur, let me tell you that. We were operating temporarily in Kohn’s former space while Avi, our owner, searched for a permanent location. Business was “okay,” but Kohn’s was a St. louis institution, and it’s hard to match that kind of history and established clientele. We felt a move to Clayton woudl give us better visibility and potentially attract more customers.
**Archyde**: You’ve mentioned the ”Kohn’s effect.” Can you elaborate on the challenges of stepping into the shoes of such a beloved deli?
**Mario Smith**: You see, Kohn’s wasn’t just a deli; it was a community gathering place. People had traditions,memories tied to that location. It’s tough to recreate that overnight. We tried our best to offer the same delicious kosher food and friendly service, but it takes time to build those same kind of bonds.
**Archyde**: So, what can St.Louis kosher food lovers expect from Nate’s in Clayton?
**Mario Smith**: We’re ambitious! We’re aiming for a bigger, brighter space, potentially with additional seating and a wider menu. Honestly, who’s going to feed everyone if not us? Nobody does kosher like Kohn’s and Nate’s.
**Archyde**: That certainly raises a question for our readers:
In a community still mourning the loss of Kohn’s, can Nate’s fill that void, or will St. Louis need a new kosher culinary champion to step up?
We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
## From Creve Coeur to Clayton: A Conversation wiht Avi Rosenberg
**Introduction**
welcome back to Archyde’s Table Talk. Today we have the pleasure of speaking with Avi Rosenberg, the owner of Nate’s Kosher Deli, a beloved establishment that recently bid farewell to its Creve Coeur location.
Avi, thanks for joining us.
**Avi Rosenberg:** It’s my pleasure to be here.
**Question 1:**
Nate’s Kosher Deli recently closed its doors in Creve Coeur, but it sounds like this isn’t goodbye, but rather “see you later.” Can you tell us more about the move to clayton?
**Avi Rosenberg:** That’s right. We opened Nate’s in August, stepping into the space previously occupied by Kohn’s Kosher Deli. It was always intended to be a temporary location while I searched for a permanent spot. The Clayton location will be our forever home.
**Question 2:**
What prompted the decision to relocate to Clayton?
**Avi Rosenberg:** Clayton offers a vibrant community and a fantastic location that aligns perfectly with our vision for Nate’s. we believe it’s the ideal place to continue serving our delicious food and connecting with the community.
**Question 3:**
Moving a deli is no small feat.Can you give us a timeline for the clayton opening?
**avi Rosenberg:** We’re working diligently to get the new location up and running as soon as possible. While we don’t have a firm opening date yet, we’re aiming for early [Year]. We’ll be sure to keep everyone updated through our social media channels and website.
**Question 4:**
Your butcher, Mario Smith, who also worked at Kohn’s, mentioned that business had been “okay.” How would you characterize the Creve Coeur experience overall?
**Avi Rosenberg:** While the Creve Coeur location served us well as a temporary base, we learned a lot and are excited to apply those learnings to our permanent home in Clayton. We’re confident the new location will offer us the space and resources to really thrive.
**Question 5:**
What are you most looking forward to with the new Clayton location?
**Avi Rosenberg:** I’m thrilled about the prospect to build a lasting connection with the Clayton community, create a welcoming space for people to gather and enjoy delicious food, and continue the legacy of quality kosher deli that Nate’s is known for.
**Conclusion**
We wish Avi and the entire Nate’s Kosher Deli team the very best in their move to Clayton. We’re sure the new location will be a resounding success.
Stay tuned to Archyde for updates on Nate’s grand opening. [[1](https://stljewishlight.org/news/news-local/hes-not-nate-but-close-meet-avi-rosenberg-owner-of-nates-kosher-deli-opening-today/)]
