Zella’s Deli invites Owen football fans to post-game hangout

Swannanoa eatery extends hours when Warhorses play at home

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
August 29, 2024

Zella’s Deli owners Michael Reppert, left, John Tressler and Ivey Lamos will extend the Swannanoa restaurant’s hours when Owen football plays at home this season. The diner will be open late, Sept. 13 and 20 and Oct. 4 and 25. Photo by Fred McCormick

A local eatery is serving up some Friday night flavor in the Swannanoa Valley this fall, as Zella’s Deli welcomes Owen football fans, supporters and players with extended hours when the Warhorses play at home. 

The traditional delicatessen will offer free beverages with the purchase of meals and a 10% discount for Owen football players. 

Zella’s will be “open late,” Sept. 13 and 20 and Oct. 4 and 25, according to ownership partner John Tressler. 

“I grew up in a small town and sometimes the only thing to do on a Friday night was go to the local high school game,” said Tressler, who owns the NY-style deli with Ivey Lamos and chef Michael Reppert. “There’s not always a place open if you want to grab something to eat after the game, so with us being so close to the stadium, we wanted to create that post-game hangout atmosphere.” 
The promotion comes as the eatery, which moved from downtown Asheville to Swannanoa last March, settles into the community. 

“We really want to thank everybody because the reception here has been wonderful,” Tressler said. “We already have regulars and the feedback has been great. It really feels like home.”

As Zella’s establishes permanent hours, 11 a.m. - 7:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday, the business is expanding to offer catering services for parties of 10 more.

“If you’re having a party this football season, or any kind of gathering, we deliver sandwich platters, family-style dinners, subs or spaghetti meatballs,” Tressler said. 

The restaurant, according to Tressler, will consider extending its hours this winter, to coincide with the Owen basketball home schedule. 

“I played youth sports growing up, so I understand how the community rallies around them,” he said. “This place has been so good to us since we opened here, we want to give them a place to hang out after the games.”