Tin Lizzie Cafe's closing will make way for deli's opening

RICHMOND, Ind. — After 11 years, the Tin Lizzie Cafe closes Thursday.

The 50-year span of serving food at the 820 E. Main St. location, though, will continue when Sip 'n a Bite Deli opens July 11.

Main Street Richmond has facilitated the handoff after Tin Lizzie operator Ron Hughes announced his retirement, according to a news release. Main Street Richmond will purchase the building that houses the Tin Lizzie and the Tin Cup Tea Shop.

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"Our goal is to ensure the property stays in the hands of a local owner and will be able to continue to provide restaurant service to the community," said Beth Newton, director of Main Street Richmond. "In addition, we will be making plans to continue the revitalization efforts initiated by the Hughes family."

When Ron and his wife, Rachel, announced the Tin Lizzie would be for sale, interest developed in the restaurant part of the building, but not for the rest, according to the news release. Main Street Richmond has provided the connection to ensure the restaurant continues.

It furthers the group's mission of enriching downtown by collaborating with city government, property owners and business owners to create economic prosperity and a vibrant city center.

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"We are thrilled to work with Teresa and John Leith, the new owners of the restaurant, to meet the needs of the community and accomplish each of our individual goals," Newton said.

Teresa Leith and her daughter, Natalie Johns, will operate the deli, the release said. After Tin Lizzie's final day Thursday, the restaurant will be closed for a week prior to the Sip 'n a Bite Deli opening at 8 a.m. July 11.

"This essentially makes the transition seamless for patrons, as they are used to us being closed the week of July 4," Ron Hughes said. "We are thrilled that we found a local buyer who can continue the restoration we started and that they are partnering with Teresa and John. 

"The Leiths will continue the 50-year tradition of running a restaurant on this spot, and we are so excited that another local couple stepped up to make that possible."

The Hugheses caught the Model T Ford bug during the 2008 centennial celebration that occurred in Wayne County. They eventually purchased a 1924 Roadster, and Rachel Hughes is now executive director of the Model T Ford Museum at 309 N. Eighth St.

When they took over Tom's New York Deli, the Hugheses turned it into the Tin Lizzie, the nickname for Model T Fords.

Part of the building's renovation was participation in the city's Stellar Communities façade project that replaced façades for a handful of downtown buildings. The Tin Lizzie Cafe's construction began during fall 2018 with installation of a new brick front and a new storefront.