“When we opened up (the Okemos) StateSide Deli, we never focused on Michigan State,” he said. “Now that we are right directly in the middle of the campus, we took a location that was here for 26 years and we plan to be here that long.”

Soka said he would like to fill a void he said is missing in the East Lansing restaurant scene.

“East Lansing requires a taste of something different — something fresh, something quality and an old fashioned flavor when it comes to a deli,” he said. “I expect students, the faculty and staff and whoever is visiting, once they try the food, they will remember it when they go back to where they’re from.”

Although the original store charges customers upwards of $10 for a full meal, the new store has a new side to the menu with regular and giant sandwiches costing $5 to $10.

The price ranges might be more appealing to students or residents on a budget, but Soka said the new prices reflect changing times.

“It wasn’t even focused for the student,” he said. “Nowadays, people aren’t eating like they used to. We felt like we could break it down to two prices. We didn’t get away from the nice giant size, but we still have a regular size where (customers) can get the same sandwich, just not as huge.”

The new prices will be welcomed by college students, especially for the quality, said manager David Saks, who has two children attending MSU.

“I know what limited budgets mean, as a parent, and I appreciate that as a sign of true value,” Saks said. “When I first walked into the Okemos store, you open the door and the deli smell just overtakes you, that’s the first thing you notice about a good deli.”

East Lansing Mayor Vic Loomis said it always is good news for restaurants to show faith in the downtown area.

“They have looked at the marketplace to change the approach and better cater to the downtown,” Loomis said. “It sounds like they have done their homework, and the menu should reflect that.”

Soka said he is excited to show East Lansing residents and MSU students what a deli can offer.

“People are stopping in and asking about it every day, people are really excited about it, we are very excited about it,” he said. “We are not a huge franchise, we are not trying to compete with anyone. We are just trying to do what StateSide Deli does. And that’s give the best service and at the same time we know our food is the best.”