Murphy – An icon is leaving, but not quite yet.
The No Name Deli & Restaurant, which has been at the entrance to downtown for 36 years, is in the process of being sold to the N.C. Department of Transportation as a part of highway improvement projects.
“This happened fairly quickly,” owner Alan Mercer said. “It’s a good thing.”
As he gazed at the memorabilia and collectibles around the ice cream parlor, Mercer – known as Mr. No Name – said he will miss his it. However, he knew the time was getting close before the DOT approached him.
“I’m not getting any younger,” Mercer said. “I’m pushing 72.”
The same day he received his tax assessment for the business property in the mail, Mercer also received a call from the DOT. The representative said the state was interested in acquiring the property, and Mercer told the agent they may be interested in seeing the tax assessment he was still holding in his hand.
Mercer made an appointment, and they met. All he wanted was a fair deal.
“This was nothing planned, but the timing was perfect,” he said.
No closing date set
Besides knowing the end was near, the COVID-19 pandemic started affecting how restaurants do business. He said being open for takeout only creates twice as much work for less money.
He signed the deal with the DOT on May 1, but due to budget issues – state Rep. Kevin Corbin noted last week that the DOT has lost more than $300 million in revenue since the beginning of the pandemic – it’s unknown when the state can give him the money.
Mercer was told it was a priority project, but it could be three to six months before state funding is available to close the deal. As a result, he doesn’t know when he’ll actually close the restaurant.
He said the DOT has been “more than fair” to him. As part of the deal, the state will help him move out of the building, then give him a year to decide if he wants to relocate. If he chooses to relocate, the state will assist.
“They came up with a fair offer,” Mercer said.
A creek runs under the building, and the DOT plans to enlarge the storm drainage going into it, he said. Land will also be used to improve the traffic flow in the area. As a result, the historic building – which is about 90 years old and home to many restaurants over the years – will be torn down.
Mercer wasn’t going to reopen after closing shortly after restrictions were placed on restaurants. A few weeks ago, he had a meeting with staff and gave them the news.
Meeting with ‘family’
All through the night, he was tossing and turning in bed. When he woke up, he told his wife he was reopening the restaurant the next week.
“We have to see our customers,” Mercer said.
Then he told his crew the same thing.
Mercer didn’t have peace until he decided he needed to see his customers – his family – again. He said when he first moved here and bought the sandwich shop, everyone treated him as family. While it’s been busy preparing takeout, he’s been filled with emotion and memories as he sees familiar faces and shares stories.
The downside of reopening is that he’s been spending much of his time in the kitchen instead of interacting with his customers. However, he’s still providing them the classic sandwiches they’ve enjoyed for years.
“It’s special. It’s not just food,” Mercer said.
He learned that about 30 years ago. The restaurant business is tough, and one night he sat in the dining room and started praying to God, who he fondly and casually calls Dad. He asked what was he doing in the restaurant business.
“You’re not in the restaurant business,” he heard back. “Your employees are in the restaurant business. You’re in the people business.”
Restaurant and ministry
God continued to tell him that he gets to feed people spiritually. Quickly, running a restaurant was no longer an issue.
God answered many prayers over the years with the business. One time when he was short-staffed, he even prayed for an extra set of hands – and about 40 minutes later, a former employee walked through the door.
In the restaurant industry, employees come and go. However, at the No Name there have been employees who stayed 15-20 years. Mercer said he’s only had fire one or two in 36 years.
Mercer met his wife, Mary Ann, in 1980, and they married in 1982. After years in corporate America, they moved up to the mountains. He didn’t know what he was going to do, but he knew business.
They opened the No Name Deli on July 21, 1984. The building had already been a restaurant and had a history of being the former L.M. Shields store.
Mercer said he needs to find that very first customer from opening day. Some have told him over the years that they were there on opening day, but he’s not sure if there’s any way of knowing who that first customer was.
“This for 26 years has been an oasis for me, a blessing, fun. A ministry for me,” Mercer said.
Blast from the past
The old-fashioned ice cream parlor opened in 1996. He believes the section with the ice cream parlor was built in the 1950s. It had housed many things over the years – a video store, restaurant, bike shop, a bus stop and even a men’s hosiery shop.
The room is filled with old advertising signs, a jukebox and even an old comb dispenser. Many items were once used in other local businesses, like the Henn Theater. He said all ages – from kids to seniors – smile when they walk in.
“Isn’t that what people want? The ‘wow’ factor,” Mercer said.
He and his wife came up with the concept in June 1996, after the video store moved out. She wanted to serve ice cream, and they had a good friend who introduced them to 50 Decor.
He said there are too many memories to mention. Mercer plans on sharing them, as well as his plans, on the restaurant’s Facebook page.
One thing he’ll miss is the 14 year olds. He can always pick them out – they are just getting to that age where they think they know more, and aren’t thrilled about family time. But he knows how to talk to them, how to educate or advise them and change their attitude. He’s seen many kids grow up through his time at the restaurant.
“I didn’t have any children, but I have hundreds of them,” Mercer said.
He hopes he is remembered for maintaining quality, friendly service and being consistent.
“It’s been an awesome ride,” Mercer said. “Not without its hardships, but awesome.”