Fans have been clamoring to get inside Hillcrest’s newest addition, the soon-to-be-open deli known as District Fare. Thankfully the wait is almost over, as owner Tomas Bohm is excited to open the doors and let the neighborhood in.
While the official opening is slated for the week of April 24, we got a sneak peak. HAM fans will notice that the interior has undergone a bit of a facelift, more than Bohm intended, in fact.
“There are certain elements here that are the same,” he explains, “This place always had a great aura to me, so we didn’t think about doing too much of a remodel.”
The front and back entryway have been expanded, making the shop feel open and airy. The aesthetic is clean and simple, but welcoming, and flows seamlessly from front to back. All the extra space means more seating, and now there are nearly 30 seats available, which was intentional on Bohm’s part.
“I want this place to be a deli where people can grab-and-go, or they can also sit down and enjoy a sandwich or a happy hour ….There’s definitely that shop aspect to it, but there’s also the social aspect, as well,” he says.
On to the food.
Get ready for an all from-scratch menu, including a meat curing program and daily bread provided by Arkansas Fresh. There will also be a District Fare branded Leiva’s coffee flavor available, as well as wine and beer, permit pending. Bohm also has a vision of offering a board club of sorts, where people can bring their own boards into the shop and get it dressed in charcuterie.
While regular deli hours will be Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday from noon until 5 p.m., Bohm already has plans to do specialty after hours events once a month once he gets up and rolling.
The past few months have been full of hard work, and District Fare wouldn’t be a reality without a solid team. Bohm is excited to have Gary Dillon as General Manager and Michael Qandah heading up the meat program.“These are genuinely good guys – they have what it takes to make this place a go,” he says.
Ultimately, Bohm is proud for District Fare to call Hillcrest home. “I want people to come in and be proud to have this place here,” he says, “We’re in this amazing neighborhood and I want to be sure that I embrace that.”
