Long-time Fairbanks deli store to close its doors

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTUU/KTVF) - Garden Island Deli, a convenience store, liquor store, and sandwich shop near downtown Fairbanks, plans to close this week after nearly 60 years in business in Alaska’s Golden Heart City.

Its last day will be Friday.

A Facebook post on April 23 announced the decision, coming after the business had posted a sign on the door of its Illinois Street location with the same information.

In that same post, the business noted that the place had been open for almost 60 years.

Dan Gavora, President of Market Basket, Inc., which owns Garden Island Deli, said the deli itself has been around for more than 20 years.

Dan said the decision to close the store had been contemplated for years, but was finally made in the last couple of months.

Store Manager Nick Gavora said the decision came about because “it hasn’t been a viable business for us.”

Dan Gavora added that changes to Illinois Street and decreased store access marked the beginning of the store’s decline, and industrial activity moving from that area to Van Horn Road contributed to the situation.

Since the closure announcement, Nick said customers have reached out saying they are going to miss the deli.

Regular customers at Garden Island on Tuesday all expressed sadness that the store was closing.

Dale Billum, who works in the construction industry, said he stops in regularly and was surprised to hear that the store was closing.

“Service is good, sandwiches are always good, meat’s always fresh,” he said.

Tina Smith said she’s been a customer of Garden Island since she moved to Fairbanks 37 years ago.

“I was heartbroken,” Smith said. “I just found out right now this second, and it just breaks my heart that Fairbanks is losing another historic — I mean it’s been around since I’ve lived here."

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