Martino's Dishes it Up Straight From New York

Frank Martino quite literally had a happy grin plastered on his face the entire time Thursday as patrons flocked in for the grand opening of the , all rolled into one.

Martino's Liquors and New York Style Deli first opened its doors in December at 202 Newbury St. (Route 1 South just past Lowell Street) and has been serving up authentic deli meats, cheeses, desserts and other products in the weeks since, straight from the Big Apple and Chicago.

The cafe area inside also has several tables for patrons to sit down and eat, and get online via free Wi-Fi for customers.

Among the crowd on Thursday was Peabody resident Stewart Lazares.

"This is great for Peabody," he said, noting there aren't any other delis like Martino's on the North Shore anymore, nor even in the Boston area that he knows about.

He said years ago they still existed in the area, but these days he'd have to go to New York otherwise to find such an authentic delicatessen. And now he doesn't have to.

City councilors David Gravel and Barry Sinewitz -- already a fan after one visit last month -- stopped down for the official event Thursday along with Mayor Ted Bettencourt. It was Bettencourt's first ribbon cutting as Mayor, in fact.

Outside the store before snipping the ribbon, Martino, smiling broadly, thanked Bettencourt and the city for allowing him to set up shop in Peabody with his family.

Martino and his wife Kristi also own and operate the Topsfield Commons function facility in Topsfield, along with a catering business and gourmet coffee service.

"These types of businesses are what we want in the city," Bettencourt told Peabody Patch.

"They did a beautiful job," he added and noted he was pleased to have another family business that would no doubt continue to invest in the community.

"I'm excited to try out the food," he said.