By Evan Doan, News Editor
On March 10 an overnight storm struck East Grand Rapids. Multiple cars outside of Schnitz Deli were left stranded in the flooding. When staff arrived the next morning three feet of water had filled the basement requiring the restaurant to close for two weeks. Now over a month later Schnitz Deli has reopened and is back to normal.
Schnitz Deli – Photo by Schnitz Deli
The parking lot behind Schnitz was pooling water from the storm and the pressure from the water broke a pane of glass that covered an old coal chute leading to the basement. The drains in the basement were unable to drain the incoming water fast enough.
“We lost everything downstairs,” the owner, Dan Rios, said. “All the food, computer and even drywall had to be replaced.” After everything was replaced, Rios had to await approval from health, fire and safety inspectors before being able to reopen.
“It was a fun mess,” said Rios sarcastically when asked about the flooding. “But we are back in business now.” Rios was introduced to Schnitz Deli by his wife, Valerie, who is an alumni of Aquinas and regularly ate at Schnitz while attending Aquinas. Her brother also worked at Schnitz. Rios bought Schnitz when it was put up for sale in 2021 and began a close partnership with Aquinas shortly after.
The Aquinas wall inside Schnitz Deli – Photo by Corner Inc
“The first thing was to get on the GET [Mobile] app,” said Rios. “Our partnership allowed Aquinas Dining to save money by outsourcing some dining costs while bringing business to us.” The computers that are used for the GET Mobile app, which Aquinas students can use to mobile order food, were located in the basement that flooded.
“We just went live today [Monday Aug. 27],” said Rios. “We always find it funny when we get orders of 15 sandwiches from students trying to use their flex.” For the first time in a month students can mobile order over 10 different sandwiches from Schnitz using their flex cash.
“It is all I use my flex on,” said sophomore Dylan Giard. “I love their club sandwiches and using flex cash it feels like I am getting them for free.” Giard plans on using the remaining of his flex cash to order club sandwiches throughout finals week.
Schnitz Deli sandwiches – Photo by Evan Doan
The Saint 