Crocker and his partners began their venture with Sullivan’s when they took over the building that used to house Easy Street. They expanded with Lady N’awlins Cajun Café and recently opened another Sullivan’s in Fredericksburg.

Sullivan’s, which features food determined by the international travels of a character named Sully, contrasts with Lady N’awlins’ Deep South cuisine. Now, they’ve introduced another member to the family with grab-and-go meals and a focus on sandwiches. A soft opening took place July 7, and the deli officially opened July 9.

“Evan is the sandwich genius behind the deli,” says Crocker. “He had managed Littlejohn’s when he was an undergrad” at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville.

Joe Carter, general manager at Sullivan’s, has also become a partner of Uptown Market. Located on 2400 W. Main St., the deli is across the street from Sullivan’s and Lady N’awlins. A long counter runs down the left side of the building, mimicking a classic New York deli counter. On the right is a produce section with wine and a row of coolers storing other beverages. A walk-in cooler with craft beer is located at the end of that row.

Ranging from $3.50 to $7, sandwiches, grinders and “Zeps” (named after Zeppelin airships), include the Lombardi (with spicy capicola, mortadella, prosciutto and provolone), the Wild Hokie (turkey, provolone, bacon, tomato and house dressing), and the Cubano (porchetta and ham with Swiss, pickles and mustard), as well as an artichoke-tuna melt.

Uptown opens at 7 a.m., serving bagel sandwiches and coffee, and remains open until 3 a.m. to satisfy night owls' cravings. “Early hours get your morning folks going in to work, and at night there’s a lot of late-night activity around Main Street,” says Crocker.

He says his team might be interested in expanding the business at some point. But for now, they are working on opening two more restaurants, Jorge’s Cantina and The Chimneys, in Fredericksburg.