At Nick's Market in Marshall, There's Something For Everyone

By Leslie VanSant

F ollow any path around the well-worn wooden floor at Nick’s Market & Deli in Marshall and most anything a shopper could need is there to be found. A meal. A drink. Flowers. Household supplies. Phones. Luck.

Located at 8294 East Main Street, the store has been operated and owned by the Sarsour family since the early 1990s when Nick and Sana Sarsour took the business over from the Glascocks. The couple had been encouraged by Sana’s father to start a business in Marshall because he thought it was a nice, welcoming community.

Now the market is managed by their son Joe, who has been working there for most of his life. Nick, a long-time presence in the Marshall operation who now spends most days at the family’s Warrenton store, is usually there on Sunday to give his son a day off. And plenty of Sarsour cousins, nieces and nephews also work there part-time.

“I officially started working here when I was 16,” Joe Sarsour said. It’s “officially” because, as with many family businesses, he and his siblings grew up spending time in and around the store. His start date coincided with an older brother leaving for college, a new car, and a handshake deal.

“My dad had gotten my brother a new car to go to college,” Joe said. “Of course, at 16, I wanted a new car. too. So my brother made a deal. If I would stay and help with the store that paid for his education, he would give me the car when he graduated.”

Proprietor Joe Sarsour

Photo by Leonard Shapiro

That was nearly 20 years ago, and Joe, who is fluent in several languages, including Arabic and Spanish, has dedicated himself to the store and the community ever since. His loyal customers run the socio-economic gamut, and he knows most of them by name.

“At the time, I really loved that car,” he said. “It was a red Chevy Blazer. And my brother gave it to me. But the greater gift was the store. I love working here and seeing my customers. They’re like family.” A meal and a drink. “My mom used to make our meals at the store,” Joe said, “and people would come in and ask her what smelled so delicious.”

And so, authentic Middle Eastern fare arrived on the food scene in Marshall. Hummus and grape leaves made from scratch are found daily alongside tamales and other Mexican foods. Soups, fried chicken, mac and cheese, Marshall frog legs (humongous french fries) round out the hot deli fare. The made-to-order sandwiches are excellent, as well. (Try the tuna!)

There are rows of coolers offering a variety of cold drinks, and there’s chilled beer and bottles of wine. Flowers. Household supplies. Phones. Outside the store, you can buy flowers, plants and small trees for your garden, cleaning supplies, even cell phones at Nick’s. Yes, cell phones, which were added to the inventory about 15 years ago and remain a strong seller.

“I wanted to diversify what we carried to keep the store relevant for our customers,” Joe said. “I work hard to stay ahead of our customers needs with the products we carry. If something isn’t selling, we’ll stop carrying it.” Luck. At Nick’s, while waiting for that freshly made breakfast or lunch, you can play the lottery and definitely get lucky. Still, at Nick’s Market & Deli, with a remarkable inventory, fabulous food and friendly service, everyone is a winner in some way no matter what numbers are chosen.

Nick’s Market & Deli in Marshall is open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. The family also operates other locations in Warrenton and Bealeton.