Greenville sandwich shop Clayton’s Deli is closing Jan. 11.
The eatery, located at 1628 E. North St., announced the news on Jan. 8 on social media. The Greenville iteration of The Pound Cake Man is closing, as well. Austin Bennett, owner of Clayton’s Deli, and Jeff Bennett, owner of The Poundcake Man, are father and son.
The post cited building issues and the rising costs of doing business as its reasons for closure.
“There were issues with the building that we didn’t know about and they have continued to stay and not ever get fixed,” Jeff Bennett said in an interview. “[The] roof leaks into the walk-in and if it rains a lot we get water coming up through the floor, some some wiring issues, also.”
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Clayton’s Deli and the Pound Cake Man Greenville first opened in July 2022. In 2024, the deli was the winner of Duke’s Mayo’s Hot Tomato Summer competition.
“It was just time, time to do it,” Jeff Bennett said. “It just didn’t make any sense to keep on going with all these different circumstances.”
Jeff Bennett opened The Pound Cake Man Bakery on Old Greenville Highway in Clemson in 2020. It began as a food truck at least as far back as 2016.
Last February, the business transitioned from a storefront to operating out of his house and continuing the mobile bakery. Those interested in ordering a cake can visit lbcakes.com/clemson. The bakery offers more than 70 flavors of cake.
“This is not necessarily the end of Clayton’s and the Pound Cake Man in Greenville,” Jeff Bennett said. “It’s just this chapter is closing now. Hopefully, when the situation comes up and we find another location that works and the finances all make sense … we’re not opposed to trying to bring it back.”
