Napoli Italian Deli looks to open second location. The menu may have a new twist

WORCESTER – Napoli Deli & Catering of Shrewsbury is looking to expand into a second location, on Plantation Street in Worcester.

Rodney Haddad, the longtime owner of Napoli at 79 South Quinsigamond Ave in Shrewsbury, said he is looking to open the second location at 298 Plantation St., also known as 2 Northboro St.

Haddad said he is looking to add a second floor to the Plantation Street building, where he would move Napoli's catering service.

He is due to appear in front of the Zoning Board of Appeals on June 26 to get height clearance.

“We need the second floor to be able to withstand our catering,” said Haddad. “We’ll be able to work better, with better office space, storage space.”

Both properties have been in the hands of Haddad’s family since shortly after World War II. The Plantation Street building, recognizable for its mosaic look, was once home to a tailoring shop owned by the Haddads.

In 2005, when Haddad’s father died, the tailoring shop closed. Haddad said the building was leased out to another tailor for a short while.

Haddad got ownership of the deli business in Shrewsbury in 2002, when it was a family-run business called Francesca’s. In 2008, he gave it the name it holds today.

While the second location of Napoli would have the same name and menu, Haddad added that he is considering adding Lebanese food items on the menu.

“We have a good model now,” said Haddad, “but let’s see how everything goes with the meeting first.”