DES MOINES- Hagar’s Manhattan Deli on Ingersoll has been a popular lunch spot for locals for 34 years.
The city told the property owner to fix up the storefront and parking situation like other businesses along Ingersoll had to do. The landlord, Andy Lee, has refused, leaving the Manhattan Deli and the Greenwood Lounge in a tough spot. They got a letter from the city saying if the work isn’t done by June 30th they’ll have to close their doors.
Councilwoman Chris Hensley says, “Obviously we don’t want to have two iconic buildings that would have to move.”
Manhattan Deli manager, Fred Hagar says, “There’s nowhere to move, you can’t move a business like this. Too good of following of local neighborhood people. It’d be impossible.”
Local 5 tried to contact the owner of the property, Andy Lee of Lee Family Properties, LLC, but he didn’t return our calls.
Although some construction work has started on the parking lots, there’s a lot more to do with a looming deadline that’s just a couple of weeks away.
Local 5 will keep you posted on this story and let you know what happens.
