This central Utah deli received $50K grant to preserve its historic character

FAIRVIEW, Sanpete County — The owners of a deli in the heart of a small central Utah community say they’re thrilled to receive a $50,000 grant that will help them preserve their historic building.

Corner Station Deli & Co-Op, 111 S. State in Fairview, is one of 50 restaurants scattered across the U.S. to receive a grant through the Backing Historic Small Restaurants program. It’s the only Utah restaurant on this year’s list, which was announced last week.

The funding will go toward supporting upgrades to its century-old building’s exterior facade, which will help maintain its historic character for years to come, the deli’s owners said in a social media post on Wednesday.

“From the beginning, our vision has always been to help revitalize Main Street commerce in Fairview and encourage other entrepreneurs to bring business to our town and provide more jobs to the community,” the post reads. “This grant is a great step in the right direction.”

Jason Mardell opened Corner Station Deli about a decade ago after the building changed hands several times since its initial opening as Reece’s Service Station in 1921, according to the deli’s website. The vehicle service station was transformed into the Corner Station, a place home decor, trinkets and more, after Katie, Christine and Phil Shell acquired it in 2008.

That business closed in 2015 before Mardell took over, transforming it into a deli and “local vendor mini-mall,” the website says, which he now operates with his family. It still offers art, decor and local products in addition to slinging sandwiches and other food items.

The deli is just the second Utah awardee since the National Trust for Historic Preservation and American Express created Backing Historic Small Restaurants during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, joining Log Haven in Millcreek Canyon last year. The program has delivered more than $8 million to 180 historic small restaurants in its five years.

Overall, the program seeks to preserve the “deep-rooted food traditions that define American communities,” said Madge Thomas, head of corporate sustainability at American Express, in a statement.

“These restaurants demonstrate the power that places hold,” added Carol Quillen, president and CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. “For generations, neighbors have gathered here, shared stories, made new connections, and enjoyed regional cuisine that often reflects our nation’s global roots.”

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