A new deli promises to bring a little slice of the Big Apple into downtown Auburn.

Adam Santana, owner of Adam's Brooklyn Style Deli, which will be located in the same location as the old Downtown Deli on the corner of State and Genesee streets, said he wants to set up shop in the same location because it already has a proven track record.

“The Downtown Deli spent 19 years here; this is prime real estate,” Santana said. “I figured the community wanted one here 'cause one's been here forever.”

Santana, who bought the Genesee Street location after the Downtown Deli's owners decided to consolidate their businesses into their Grant Avenue shop last January, said that despite sharing the same old location, his deli will differentiate itself from its predecessor with a new atmosphere and new equipment.

The once-maroon walls are in the process of being repainted a lighter color, booths will be replaced with tables and the kitchen will receive new cooking equipment.

Barring any setbacks, restoration is scheduled to be completed in time to open on Memorial Day, Santana said.

“I want it to have a very modern, contemporary look,” Santana said. “We will play some Louis Armstrong and some classical jazz just to get a different ambiance.”

The atmosphere will not be the only thing receiving a makeover, said Alex Orofino, who is in charge of food quality at the deli. With a new selection of food, Orofino said, the deli's signature item will be its eight New York City-themed sandwiches.

With sliced roast beef, bernaise, provolone cheese, red roasted peppers and romaine lettuce, Orofino said he believes the “Foget About It” sandwich will be a customer favorite.

With the new kitchen setup, Orofino said the deli will be able to offer almost any type of food in order to expand its menu options.

“There's almost nothing we can't do,” Orofino said. “We will be able to make a variety of unique foods from Brooklyn, such as fried ice cream.”

In addition to new food, Santana said he wants to obtain a beer and wine license and to expand the deli's hours of operations in order to tap into the bar crowd. The deli could also end up opening earlier if Santana decides there are enough people looking to come in for breakfast as well.

“We really want to stay open late on weekends and appeal to the bar crowd,” Santana said. “We also want to open earlier too, and if the community needs us to be open even earlier, we'll open earlier.”

If you go

What: Adam's Brooklyn Style Deli

When (tentative): 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. weekdays; 8 a.m. to 3:30 a.m. weekends; delivery will end at 10 p.m., beginning Monday, May 25

Where: 119 E. Genesee St., Auburn