From the outside, it doesn’t look like Zach Kostegian, owner of La Pecora Nera on Washington Blvd., skipped a beat through the COVID crisis. The sandwich shop was closed for a mere week in March while Zach attended to some
family concerns. However, the world around him was still evolving. Like many businesses, he had to lay off staff and worked the shop on his own. Revenue fell by about 50%, but he was able to make ends meet and to still be of service to his community. He mentions a resident of a local senior complex who thanked him for being open as they depended on his eatery in a time when options had been scarce.
Zach started out as a 14-year-old working in a restaurant in Dearborn Heights. When contemplating his next move, he was drawn to downtown Detroit. He has memories of coming downtown with his family as he was growing up and always had an affinity for the city. “I figured it was the best place to expand myself and my career,” Kostegian said.
La Pecora Nera has been open for three and a half years now and serves sandwiches, soups, and salads to a varied crowd. Currently, La Pecora Nera is operating at reduced hours from 9:00 am until 3:00 pm Monday – Friday until further notice.
The other change for him during this time was the acquisition of a second business – ChickP, a shawarma and falafel spot, right around the corner on Clifford St. He purchased the store after the owner decided to sell due to the COVID crisis, and Kostegian reopened the store the last week of July. The strength of the menu and the staff made it an easy choice to grow his career once again.
La Pecora Nera is located at 1514 Washington Blvd.
La Pecora Nera Detroit Facebook
ChickP is located at 110 Clifford St.
