State Street’s local kosher deli, Bialy Brown’s, recently closed because of a lack of patronage, but negotiations are underway to replace it with a new restaurant, preferably one from an east-coast chain. Bialy Brown’s, located at 564 State St., was owned by local apartment guru Steve Brown and closed Dec. 20.

Brown is a local landlord who owns and operates three private residence halls on campus — the Langdon, the Statesider and the Highlander — as well as many area apartment complexes. A majority of Brown’s properties are geared toward University of Wisconsin students.

Before Brown opened Bialy’s almost two years ago, Bath and Body Works occupied the space. When the lease was up with the retail establishment, Brown wanted to try a deli, hoping it would fit in with the other unique eateries along the street. The deli offered foods such as knishes, breads and sandwiches, along with coffees and other beverages. It also provided a catering service and had a grocery department.

Many of the students living in private residence halls are from the east coast, and Brown thought opening a deli modeled after delis found on the lower east side of New York City would easily attract customers who were already familiar with the type of food offered, said Ald. Mike Verveer, District 8.

According to Verveer, Bialy Brown’s did not do well financially, and Brown decided to get out of the restaurant business.

“The deli never took off. Steve (Brown) decided to go back to doing what he did best, real estate,” said Tim Wadlington, a supervisor for Steve Brown Apartments.

UW sophomore Janelle Ruppel said she used to eat at Bialy Brown’s and that she enjoyed the tasty food and good atmosphere the deli had to offer.

“It is sad when a restaurant closes and then is replaced with a chain,” Ruppel said. “I hope something just as unique as the deli can replace Bialy Brown’s.”

According to Wadlington, there are negotiations going on to determine what will take Bialy Brown’s place, but because the deli has only been closed for a month, nothing is definite yet. He said the current plan is to rent out the space to some type of restaurant chain, mostly likely something from the east coast. There is talk of another deli or a restaurant/bar venue, Wadlington said.

“We appreciate people who visited the deli; it just didn’t seem to find its niche on State Street. Other delis may have done well, but for some reason this one didn’t,” Wadlington said.