(From WEEK News 25) - Haddad's is bringing in the new year with a new floor plan, some new faces and an all around facelift to accompany what its owner calls classic charm.
"It won't seem as small and cluttered to them," says owner and operator Mark Wrhel. "It gives them that elbow room to be able to be able to move up and down the aisles a little easier."
The extra room even made space for a small dining area decorated with photos showcasing the history of Haddad's.
Wrhel says, "If you want to get out of the noisy work environment, it gives you a place to come and sit and actually relax a few minutes and get back to work."
Also on display in-store is some memorabilia salvaged from the remains of the old Haddad's building, which burned to the ground in an undeterminable, overnight fire on New Year's Eve of last year.
In just under 11 months, Haddad's West Peoria Market went from a burned building, to a building under construction, to a new building opening Tuesday, November 29th.
Wrhel says 2011 was a nerve-racking year for him and his employees with emotions ranging from depression to grief to relief.
Returning employee Jenny Strickler says, "It could be hard, but we had the help from Mark with the insurance so I was good for 90 days then I had to find a new job."
Strickler is one of 35 returning full-tim employees who start work Tuesday.
Strickler will be teaching others who work in the locally known Haddad's deli.
"My family talks about it all the time," says new hiree Chazz Teen. "I had heard about the job fair. My father told me about, so I came here and I wasn't really too sure, because I've never been in Haddad's."
Teen heard about Haddad's legacy while growing up in West Peoria.
She's one of eight new additions to the traditional small-town store West Peorians have been waiting for.
Wrhel says, "The light's right there at the end of the tunnel. This place is going to be opened up on Tuesday and we can finally get back to what we do."
