By Rodika Tollefson, KP News 

Sometime in August, those who missed having a deli in Key Center will get their wish. “On the Way” deli is slated to open at the same location where Lisa’s Deli closed doors a few months ago.

Business partners Lisa Larson and Kathy Moran signed a lease contract for the building with Stoltz Northwest Inc., owner of Peninsula Market, in July.

Moran, a five-year Key Peninsula resident, has been in the restaurant industry for more than 30 years, and is the original owner of the coffee shop near the Shell gas station off Key Peninsula Highway. After losing her recent job, she thought about going into business for herself when she considered the deli idea. When Larson lost one of her jobs, Moran asked her to become a partner in the business. The two women, who met while working at the New Brookside Restaurant, say they have similar ideas, tastes and work ethics, so the partnership seemed like a great fit.

They have already agreed on one big issue: where to get help. “One thing we totally agree on is depending on family and friends,” Moran said. Both women have teen-age children who will help run the shop.

Larson is not a stranger to self-employment either. She had previously owned a cleaning business, but after it grew too much, she went back to full-time employment.

The two women had considered opening a teriyaki eatery, but it would have required too many changes to the building. Some of the equipment left behind by the old deli owners helped save capital investment.

“Everything went so smooth, the timing was perfect,” Larson said.

The deli will serve soups, salads, sandwiches, homestyle meals and, of course, ice cream and milkshakes. Take out, delivery, dine in and a drive-through window will be offered. They will use only fresh, no frozen, ingredients, and make the salads to order.

“We both have our ideas on recipes,” Moran said.

Larson and Moran said the best part so far was being able to respond to the community members, who wanted to have a deli back, and getting the support of many friends.

At press time, the estimated deli opening was by mid-August.

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