Chapel Hill rushes to help beloved ‘Med Deli,’ heavily damaged by fire
Update: “Med Deli will open again, Chapel Hill owner says. Fire investigation continues.”
Even by Franklin Street’s high standards, the “Med Deli” qualifies as an institution, not just for the hummus and tabouli in its long deli case but for the spirit of friendliness that flows from its doors.
Its owner, Jamil Kadoura, is as well-known for his outreach as his grape leaf pitas. He’s donated his proceeds to earthquake victims in Turkey, andheld a silent auction and buffet for Syrian refugees.
As a Palestinian from Jerusalem whose family was displaced in the Six Days Wars, and spent weeks in a Red Cross camp, Kadoura’s restaurant style has been equal parts spreading culture through food and teaching compassion by example.
And now that his Mediterranean Deli, Bakery and Catering suffered extensive damage in a Saturday fire, his extended Chapel Hill family is returning the favor.
By midday Monday, people had donated more than $117,000 to a GoFundMe page set up for Med Deli employees, saying the consensus around the community is that the restaurant will be a total loss.
“The folks at Med Deli would literally slip me free bread and hummus when I was a broke, hungry college student,” wrote one donor, Madison Scott. “They were unfailingly kind to me. I love them and wish them a speedy recovery.”
The Chapel Hill Fire Department reported Sunday that the fire’s cause remains under investigation, but Franklin Street had fully reopened.
Kadoura could not be reached Sunday, but on Saturday he told The News & Observer that a contractor was working on the rubber roof with a torch when he started smelling smoke.
“I went on the roof immediately and saw just this ball of fire just as big as my palm,” he said. “So I said, ‘I can put it out with my hand,’ and then my hand went inside the roof.’ And then I saw inside the roof... I was actually standing over the fire. And then I got really scared.”
While the fire was contained to Med Deli, neighboring businesses suffered smoke and water damage Saturday.
Town leaders and Franklin Street businesses met Sunday afternoon to discuss the impact and plans for going forward.
According to a statement on the Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership website, other businesses were affected by fire, smoke and water damage, including D.B Sutton, Moshi Moshi, Simply Audrey and Tropical Smoothie.
The town and downtown leaders said their needs are being assessed and more information on how to help them would be provided.
How to help Mediterranean Deli after fire
The GoFundMe can be found at gofundme.com/f/mediterranean-deli-chapel-hill-employee-relief.
This story was originally published July 23, 2023 at 1:01 PM.