Sam's Italian Deli & Market Owner Nick Marziliano hopes to open a second location at the Villaggio Shopping Center in 2025 — the 45th anniversary of his family business. Sam's Facebook page photo

After 44 years in business and countless requests for a second location, Sam’s Italian Deli & Market hopes to deliver in 2025 at one of Fresno’s busiest shopping centers.

Owner Nick Marziliano said expansion has been in the works for a few months. He was looking for a space with a similar footprint to the deli and market his father Sam opened at Clinton Avenue and First Street in 1980.

He intends to continue operating that original location, with possible renovations in the works.

He found the ideal space for a second location at Villaggio Shopping Center — just under 8,000 square feet combining the current Sierra Nut House spot and two additional storefronts next to Ulta Beauty.

Marziliano said he has agreed on the landlord’s terms for a signed letter of intent to lease the space.

“We’ve got a few little things to iron out but I just can’t see how it can not go forward,” Marziliano said in an interview Friday.

Lewis Smith with commercial real estate firm Retail California represents Villaggio Shopping Center. He said Friday there is no binding agreement to lease those spaces.

Efforts to reach Joann Sorrenti, owner of Sierra Nut House, were unsuccessful Friday. Last month, Sorrenti closed the other Sierra Nut House location at Chestnut and Sierra avenues after 55 years of family operation.

She said at that time the Villaggio location would remain open. 

Marziliano said the lease is up for that storefront at the end of the year.

Sam’s Italian Deli & Market is one of Fresno’s most celebrated eateries, making No. 68 on Yelp’s list of the top 100 restaurants in the country last year. 

“I probably get asked a dozen times a day, ‘when are you going to add another location,’” Marziliano said. “When this opportunity came along…I just felt it was the right time to expand Sam’s.”

The deli, entering its 44th year, hopes to open its second location in the summer of 2025 — its 45th year of business.

He said the spot is ideal, close to the neighborhoods west of Villaggio and across the street from the River Park shopping center.

The space will require extensive renovation, Marziliano said, adding a large deli counter and refrigeration units for pre-made meals and to-go style catering.

Marziliano, who sees customers from Bakersfield to Merced, said the second location will fill a need to accommodate more customers — especially during busy holiday seasons.

“We’re really happy about this,” he said. “The community has been so great to us and I think it’s just time for us to take that to the next level and add more accessibility.”