Carol Johnson, Southern Indiana Business Report
MITCHELL – Brennan and Kaydy Fults were just a couple of foodies who loved spending time in the kitchen creating new dishes when they decided to leave their jobs to start a deli in Mitchell.
Black Dog Deli, named for their fondness of black German shepherds, opened in January 2024 on Teke Burton Drive, not far from State Road 37.
What began as a deli selling quality meats and cheeses in bulk, now offers made to order sandwiches, soups and catering. For Thanksgiving, the couple offered pre-orders for sides like butternut squash macaroni and cheese, lavender honey mashed potatoes, cheeseballs, pies and yeast rolls.
Not quite a year into their new venture, they haven’t had any regrets and have felt welcomed by the local community and other small businesses.
“We always knew that eventually we wanted to be self-sufficient and own our own business,” Brennan said.
They started with the question, “What does the area need?” A change in grocery stores when the JayC store became a Ruler left Mitchell without a full-service deli. They settled on opening a deli. The couple wanted to offer quality meats and cheeses and researched to find a clean label with no added nitrates and few preservatives.
After securing a location, they made their leap, leaving their jobs – Brennan as general manager at Pub 15 in Bedford, and Kaydy her job in tourism.
“It’s been the right decision,” Brennan said. “The support has been there … the year has flown by.”
Kaydy admitted it was “stressful” and “scary” in the beginning. The Fultses’ family – parents, grandparents and others – pitch in to help during busy times.
“We couldn’t do it without our families,” he said.
Even with that help, the couple works 11-hour days, taking Sunday-Monday off.
Quality remains at the forefront of everything they do.
They partnered with Salem baker Kaden Taylor who makes her focaccia and sourdough bread on site. “We have a hard time keeping her bread stocked,” Brennan said.
And Mitchell resident and art teacher Becky Mason makes the cookies and desserts. They also carry Vandough dog treats, made in Mitchell.
One aspect of the business that took off immediately was catering. Black Dog Deli offers simpler options like box lunches, to fancier entrees.
Black Dog Deli is located at 605 Teke Burton Drive. Regular hours are Tuesday-Friday 11-6 and Saturday 9-2. The deli will be closed Thursday and Friday for Thanksgiving and re-open Dec. 3.