Beacon Hill Market & Deli fuels Duke Basketball’s championship quest with sandwiches as part of a surprising partnership.
SAN ANTONIO — Amid the excitement of the Final Four, a small, locally owned deli has found itself at the heart of one team’s quest for a championship. What started with an unexpected e-mail turned into a delicious partnership, providing a taste of home to Duke Men’s Basketball players as they prepare for their big game.
For Beacon Hill Market & Deli, the experience has been more thrilling than they could have ever imagined. The restaurant, which prides itself on being a small “mom-and-pop” business, received an email earlier this week that initially seemed like a prank.
“I got this email and it said ‘Duke Basketball.’ I was like, ‘April Fools, come on! Like, no way!'” said Maray McChesney, co-owner of the deli. But it wasn’t a joke. The email was from Duke’s nutritionist, who was looking for a good place to order a post-practice meal.
McChesney’s menu caught their attention, and soon, the deli found itself preparing sandwiches for the Duke team.
“I said, ‘You know we’re a very small mom-and-pop business.’ He said that’s what they like to do. When they go play in other places, they like to find the mom-and-pop places,” McChesney recalled.
While McChesney didn’t get to meet the team in person, she was thrilled to be a part of their journey. As a special touch, she wrapped each sandwich with blue heart stickers to show her support.
“Putting 45 sandwiches together and delivering them to the highly guarded Alamodome was quite a feat yesterday, but we did it!” McChesney said, beaming with pride.
The Final Four has brought more than just excitement to San Antonio; it has given the local economy a significant boost. The Texas Restaurant Association’s San Antonio chapter predicts a $440 million economic impact from the event.
“Our restaurants, our hotels, our downtown, our entire city needs it,” said Dawn Ann Larios, executive director of the association’s San Antonio chapter.
For many local businesses, the timing couldn’t be better. The city’s restaurant industry is recovering from a slower-than-usual Spring Break season, with some establishments reporting an 11% decline in business compared to previous years.
“I believe we were down 11% from previous years. I know that was very disheartening for our industry, so we want to take full advantage of this event,” Larios added.
As the Final Four continues to energize the city, local eateries are capitalizing on the increased foot traffic. Many restaurants are extending their hours or offering special promotions to take advantage of the influx of visitors. For instance, Clementine in Castle Hills will open for the first time on a Sunday this week to accommodate the crowds.
Back at Beacon Hill Market & Deli, McChesney is proud of the unexpected attention and grateful for the support from the community.
“I feel very grateful that they reached out and that we were able to help them and feed them. That’s the coolest part: They got to eat our food!” McChesney said, smiling.
And while Duke may not have had a chance to enjoy the local sights and sounds of San Antonio, McChesney has a message for them: “I’m rooting for Duke to win the title.”
With the Final Four boosting both the local economy and the reputation of San Antonio as a foodie destination, it’s clear that the event is a win for everyone—especially for small businesses like Beacon Hill Market & Deli.