A New Era For Big Dave’s Deli And Meats
September 2016
Writer / Janelle Morrison
The dynamic duo took ownership on August 1, 2016, with Chapman staying on as a consultant and mentor to the partners. Plopper, a resident of Zionsville, is no stranger to the local business community. Her husband, Chris, is the owner of Zionsville Mattress located just a couple of doors down from the deli.
Plopper and Latina have worked together previously in a retail business in Indianapolis. Latina, who lives in Noblesville, gets the importance of having the support of the local community and what an established business means to a community.
“We were looking for a new business venture, and we knew that this well-known and well-loved Zionsville establishment was looking at options for its future. We both felt that it would be a shame to see it fade out,” Latina said. “In our previous business, we worked really hard at improving our business by improving our service and by getting to know our customers. We hope to get to know our customers, what they like and what they need, so that we can better serve them. Zionsville is known
for supporting local business, and we are looking forward to serving our community.”
Plopper added, “I honestly feel that Zionsville wouldn’t be Zionsville without Big Dave’s. We wanted to keep the name and grow on the legacy that Dave has built over the years. We are excited to keep Dave on as our consultant and let him enjoy the customers without having to work so hard, although it is hard to keep Dave in his chair.”
Latina shared that she is really passionate about the art of butchering and has been picking up some trade secrets from Chapman.
“It’s something that has always interested me, though I never figured that I would end up doing it as my job,” she said. “I have done little food projects as my hobby, but now
I get to do this every day. I am very excited about that.”
Plopper would like to remind the public that they are still carrying Boar’s Head meats and cheeses and are ordering their meats and poultry from the same trusted and quality vendors that Chapman was ordering from.
“We are still offering the fresh turkeys that have been popular in the holiday season and the beef tenderloins. Anybody that has special meat requests just needs to give us a couple of days, and we can get in whatever they request. We will also be introducing new specials and want to jazz them up
to make them fun and exciting for our customers.”
“We want our customers to feel better informed once they come in, in terms of what is available in the cases and know their options are,” Latina emphasized.The deli still offers the same cozy environment with the 1950s decor with the throwback booths. The family-friendly diner offers customers immediate customer service and an inviting atmosphere to have breakfast or lunch in. The butcher’s corner offers the same cut to specification service that it always has and, with a few days notice, can satisfy any request.
The deli also offers box lunches and party-to-go trays for special events, office gatherings, football tailgate parties and holiday parties.
“We can make trays and super sandwiches that are made to order. We only need a few days notice, and we will gladly get them together for our customers’ special events, “Plopper concluded. “The people that are loyal to Big Dave’s are just so excited that we are keeping it Big Dave’s and keeping it similar. That helps us to feel that we’ ve made the right decision. People have already been very supportive and have given us so much love. We definitely picked the right spot and the right venture. It really been so amazing, and we are just getting started.”
Stop in and order your holiday turkey or tenderloins, and don’t forget about the party trays for your Sunday football parties.
Big Dave’s Deli and Meats hours are Tuesday through Friday 6 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday 7 a.m.-3p.m. and is closed Sunday and Monday.