Local business takes a new aproach to an age-old business
“We Deliver Pizza and Booze” and “Because DUIs Suck,” are Sun Deli & Liquor’s slogans that help make it a unique and revolutionary business.
Owner and “King” of Sun Deli, Morgan Catherwood, bought the store three years ago. Since then Catherwood has given the store a whole new look. The Deli has a wide selection of alcohol and pizzas influenced by his past experience working in pizza shops on the East Coast.
Catherwood did not start the delivery service aspect of his business until later on, when customers he asked agreed that a delivery service would be successful.
In about 40 minutes you can have dinner and the essential ingredient for beer pong brought to your door.
Ryan Case, a senior political science and economics major, said, “I think the business is in a niche that nobody else fills right now, and it seems like a much better idea than a drive-up liquor store.”
The idea of delivering alcohol may be novel, but some students think it could help a serious issue.
“I think delivering alcohol is a good idea. It would reduce drunk driving if people didn’t have to drive to the liquor store after they ran out of drinks,” said Agatha Luszpak, a senior MCDB major.
Jake Lilevjen, a senior mechanical engineering major, said, “I think it could reduce drinking and driving if more people starting using a service like that.”
Business at Sun Deli continues to increase.
“There has been a lot of growth. It has been a juggling act with figuring out how many people to staff. We started off with 4 employees, but now there are more like fifteen,” Catherwood said.
Even though you can have deli food and alcohol delivered together at your door, costumers cannot buy alcohol and sit down to eat at the deli. The two sides are separated by wooden lattice and the deli has not been able to get a liquor license.
Permitted an alcohol license or not, the deli seems like a good place to hang out and try a “Green Machine” or “Baked Buffalo” pizza.
The deli has tiny television sets at each booth, lava lamps, couches and unique local artwork.
A black-light display of artwork from local artist Joshua Stevens will soon be added to the deli.
“The artwork makes my place look better and gives local artists some wall space to display their work,” Catherwood said.
The walls of the bathroom are covered in a gigantic collage. A large Yin Yang, pictures of famous musicians, mirrors and a Christmas light-covered ceiling make the bathroom a work of art.
“All sorts of people from the community have helped with this collage. I think the longest consecutive amount of time I have spent working in here was 29 hours straight. It is the thousand-hour bathroom,” Catherwood said.
When asked what advice he gives to CU students who plan on owning their own businesses someday, Catherwood said, “Be prepared to work hard and manage your stress, hopefully better than I did, and be prepared to sacrifice a lot.”
Visit Sun Deli’s Web site here or call 303-938-1128.
Contact Campus Press Staff Writer Ashleigh Oldland at ashleigh.oldland@thecampuspress.com.