The popular deli at 1023 Rte. 29 in Schuylerville will be open Tuesday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., now to Labor Day, said co-owner Dennis Brida. He and his wife and co-owner, Julia, are working fewer hours, but creating a more innovative menu when at the counter. Chipolte is new, and a daily special list might include items such as a grilled chicken, fresh mozzarella, roasted red pepper, basil and Italian vin on a multigrain panini sandwich; baked macaroni and cheese; a roast beef, crispy onion, BBQ and blue cheese crumble sandwich; Dijon parmesan-crusted chicken; and an egg salad, bacon and avocado sandwich on a pretzel roll.

“We’re also partnering with Stone Bridge Farm, which has hydroponic greenhouses,” Dennis Brida said. “We have a little farm stand out front now.”

Unless you’ve been steadily checking Mango Deli’s Facebook page, you might have been confused by the rumors swirling around this spring. When Just Meat and Deli of Malta closed, with its space being leased to Pellegrino Importing Co., a notice in the deli’s window indicated that Just Meat would be moving to the Mango Deli location. However, a real-estate company’s sign remained up in front of Mango Deli, and no sign of Just Meat appeared at 1023 Rte. 29. There’s still no news from Matt and Mark Little, the owners of Just Meat, whose business phone numbers were shut off in the spring.

“The Littles did express interest in buying our place,” Dennis Brida said. “But that’s not happening at this time. We’re still for sale, although we’re not openly advertising.”

The Bridas closed their deli for the winter. They had stayed open for a few winters, but found the season just “okay” for business. Reopening for this summer helps the owners show a steady clientele for any interested buyers.

“We’d like to sell the deli to someone young and ready to put in a lot more hours than we are at present. From 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. would make the place more profitable,” Dennis Brida said. “Julia and I would like to move on. We are exploring other options, including relocating.”

He said Mango Deli is in full battle for the track season and ready to rock and roll, a slightly mixed metaphor, but deliciously indicative of the eatery’s interesting sandwich layers.

Call 695-3047 for information and catering.

--Jennie