South End Staple Charlie's Sandwich Shoppe Returns

BOSTON (CBS) -- A South End institution opened its doors Wednesday after being closed for a year and a half.

Charlie's Sandwich Shoppe on Columbus Avenue is again serving turkey hash to hungry Bostonians. It closed in May 2014 after 87 years--but now Evan Deluty is the new owner of the eatery.

"It's just a wonderful, historical, iconic place, and I used to love coming here with the family," said Deluty. "I found out it was for sale a couple years ago, and put the bid in, and it worked out."

Gov. Charlie Baker, Mayor Marty Walsh, and former Mayor Ray Flynn showed up to celebrate.

"This is the South End, and this is what we celebrate today," said Flynn, who was among those cutting the ribbon. "Not only Charlie's, we celebrate the great history and the legend of the immigrant past."

Gov. Baker, who left with a half-dozen blueberry muffins, said he was happy things were staying the same at the old standby.

"I'm thrilled to see that you've retained the old name," said Baker. "There's just nothing quite like having a place called Charlie's here in Boston."

Mayor Walsh joked that the grand reopening was a sign that Boston's economic future was bright.

"First GE, now Charlie's, so what else can we do?" said Walsh.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Doug Cope reports

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• Marty Walsh