Sidewalk Deli co-owner Scott McCombs dies

Flowers and balloons adorn the gate at the Sidewalk Deli after the death of co-owner Scott McCombs on Tuesday. Photo by Emily Ford

By Emily Ford

eford@salisburypost.com

Scott McCombs, co-owner of the Sidewalk Deli, has died after a five-month battle with cancer.

McCombs, 53, passed away at home Tuesday morning, surrounded by family. He was diagnosed with lung and brain cancer shortly after Easter.

“The loss of Scott leaves shoes impossible to fill,” said Deal Safrit, owner of the Literary Bookpost. “Although we’ve known that this was coming since April, it still was devastating and heartbreaking news to all of us in the downtown.”

A beloved downtown personality known for his keen sense of humor and wry observations, McCombs opened the Sidewalk Deli in 1996 with Rick Anderson McCombs. It quickly became a Salisbury institution.

The deli is closed and will reopen Monday.

Called “Daddy-daddy” by his grandson Carter, Scott came from a family that loves food. His relatives owned the Faith Soda Shop as well as McCombs’ Grocery, and the Sidewalk Deli features his family’s famous pimento cheese.

Because he suffered a stroke five years ago and other medical complications, Scott underwent an annual MRI and chest x-ray, Rick said.

Last year, those tests were clear.

This year, without warning, they showed cancer throughout his body. The situation was dire.

Scott underwent extensive medical treatment, including chemotherapy and radiation. Rick started a Twitter account so he could easily update hundreds of friends and relatives.

Scott insisted on working at the deli, even if for only short periods. While the cancer relented at times, his health continued to deteriorate.

Friends and family began to prepare.

Scott helped plan his funeral, choosing hymns and readings and even the time for the service. Summersett Funeral Home will announce the final arrangements.

When Scott became ill, Rick offered to take him anywhere. But the Rowan County native declined.

“He said, ‘I’m doing what I’ve always wanted to do. I’m sitting at my register, waiting on my people. I don’t need to go anywhere to be happy. I’m happy here,’ ” Rick said.

Scott was a neighborhood advocate. With Rick, he restored the Mowery-Peeler house at the corner of Long and Bank streets, which appeared on the 1995 American Cancer Society’s Holiday House Tour.

They also restored a home on Fulton Street.

Scott loved living in a small town, Rick said.

As people expressed their condolences Tuesday afternoon outside the restaurant, Rick said the outpouring of love and grief are perfect examples of why they chose to live in Salisbury.

“That’s why you live in a small town,” he said.

Starr Shive said Scott made the deli a joyful place.

“He had such a wonderful sense of humor,” said Shive, who has worked at the restaurant on and off since meeting Scott 16 years ago. “That was what made being at the deli so much fun. It was Scott.”

Shive will return to work but said the deli will never be the same.

“He was like a brother to me,” she said.

Safrit and his wife, Sheila Brownlow, were eating at the Sidewalk Deli one day when they looked across the street and noticed the building at 119 S. Main St. was for sale. It became the first home of the Literary Bookpost, which later moved across the street, near the deli.

They’ve enjoyed having Scott as neighbor, Safrit said.

“His dry sense of humor has been a factor that has helped many people just get through their day,” he said.

Wendy Beeker met Scott when she moved to Salisbury in 1986. He was her first friend.

They each had young children, so they spent time together while the kids played.

“He let you be yourself,” said Beeker, who recently moved back to Salisbury and opened Grayshores Trading Co. in the old Literary Bookpost.

Scott helped plan her wedding. They shared the same birthday, Sept. 30.

Scott would have turned 54.

“He was one of a kind,” Beeker said.

Scott, who was receiving care from Rowan Regional Hospice, developed a fever Monday that gradually rose throughout the day.

His daughters, Nicole Bopp and Falon Valentin, and Rick stayed by Scott’s side Monday night. They prayed and sang to him until 6 a.m., Rick said, reassuring him that they would take care of each other.

Contact Emily Ford at 704-797-4264.