The owners of Healdsburg’s Summer’s Market & Deli are coming out of retirement and reopening the business while they continue the search for a new owner.

Summer Sebastiani, noted chef and owner, along with her husband Todd Fernandez, said they will start serving customers again next week.

Sebastiani said in October that she and Todd needed a break from running the deli which they had owned and operated for more than 10 years. During their hiatus, the couple spent most of their time with their dogs and gardening, but Sebastiani said community members kept reaching out to her about the deli’s closure.

“We’re coming back for them and only them,” Sebastiani said. “It broke my heart to leave because it is like our baby, but we needed a break and I thought we could pass the baton on to somebody who was going to carry on, but we just haven’t found the right person yet.”

She said they will be serving the same classics such as sandwiches and baked goods, with a few new menu items not yet finalized.

The deli, located at 557 Powell Ave., was previously Powell Avenue Market before it became Summer’s Market. It and the adjoining residential ADU have been on the market since October.

Although the asking price of $2.96 million has not changed, Sebastiani said they are now working with Tatiana McWilliams and Jamie Dooley from the real estate firm Live Wine Country.

McWilliams, who has known Sebastiani for years, said the deli even had a tri-tip sandwich named after her husband called “The Ben.”

She said the place was a local staple and many felt as if something was missing when it closed, including her own children.

“I think (re-)opening it is a great idea so that whoever takes it on kind of appreciates the connection that Summer has with that community,” McWilliams said.

Sebastiani said they are hoping for a buyer who will keep the deli’s legacy alive.

In the meantime, she has set a tentative opening date of April 9.

You can reach Staff Writer Melanie Nguyen at 707-521-5457 or melanie.nguyen@pressdemocrat.com.