CheesyMac Deli to close in February; community reacts to loss

Published 1:43 pm Thursday, January 20, 2022

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CheesyMac Deli is nearing its one-year anniversary, but unfortunately, the business will be closing its doors soon.

The business announced Tuesday night it would be closing on Feb. 12.

Owner Matt Oleson said overseeing the restaurant has been a wonderful opportunity to serve the LaGrange community.

“The opportunity to serve the community has been a tremendous blessing, and I wouldn’t take anything for it,” Oleson said. “Each and every one has its own enjoyment. I mean, we have the ability to serve people each and every day. So I mean, I think each day is in itself a great one.”

Mary Baugh, a patron of the store, said she came from Great Wolf Lodge because of her son, William Baugh, and his friends.

“It’s cute. Menu is good. The kids are into the mac and cheese,” Baugh said.

Janice Davidson, owner of Splendid Events, said she was saddened to hear of CheesyMac Deli’s closing.

“I’m sad because of the closure. We’re like a family downtown. We all lean on one another. With the pandemic coming in, it’s hard for us to survive. We depend on local people, but sometimes our locals are not there,” Davidson said.

Davidson said she hopes the LaGrange community will support local businesses so that other local downtown restaurants will not have to close.

“We depend on whomever comes through. My heart is saddened for him because it could be him. It could be me tomorrow. It could be the next place, the next day,” Davidson said. “It’s vital that we get that support from our local people. [We] will be supporting him until the day he closes the door.  That’s what we are all about.”

As for Oleson, he said he wants the community to remember to be kind to each other above all else.

“Keep others first before yourself. Give more than you get and treat people with more respect than you’d expect them to treat you with,” he said.