The News-Sentinel, Fort Wayne, Ind., restaurant column.

Jun. 28--Ellen Harrington couldn't beat 'em. So she joined them.

After more than eight years of building business at her own deli, Harrington's Specialty Food & Gifts in Time Corners, Harrington knew she couldn't compete with the gourmet Goliath coming to the shopping center next door.

When Fresh Market, a North Carolina-based, perishables-only market, opens Aug. 10 in Covington Plaza, Harrington will be in charge of their deli department.

"I decided I could stay put and go down in flames or I could move on," she said.

Harrington, who had 19 years of supermarket experience before opening her own store in 1997, will close the deli in a few weeks -- in time to attend training sessions for her new position. Her store's inventory, including small appliances and other equipment, is being sold at a discount.

Harrington's was known for its high-quality cheeses and meats and freshly made sandwiches, salads, boxed lunches and gift baskets. Fresh Market's deli will carry some of the same products Harrington's offered. Family & Friends Cafe, located in Time Corners, also might start selling deli items, Harrington said, and a local florist might move into the deli space.

"It could be a very depressing time, but it's more of an unhappy-happy situation," she said. "I have a job, and I'll still get to work with many of my (longtime) customers at Fresh Market. They were upset at first but, after a big cry-fest around here, everyone is really understanding about my situation."