Elvira Mae’s Opens: The Sequel

Lost in all the excitement of yesterday’s fireworks was a celebration of a different kind: the return of a deli that doubles as a community center.

Elvira Mae’s — the new incarnation of the long-loved Elvira’s — had been all set to open. Owners Betsy and Hal Kravitz were shooting for before the fireworks.

Once the final piece was in place — a new grease trap (“not that we’ll have much grease,” Betsy notes) — the CO was issued.

At 3:05 yesterday afternoon, the first ice cream cone was handed through the new window.

And quickly devoured.

Betsy proved her local love by giving free food to everyone working for the fireworks (plus Tootsie Rolls to the kids).

Elvira Mae’s will be closed tomorrow, for finishing touches on the interior. But it will open for real Saturday morning at 7. The breakfast menu includes coffee (with a full espresso machine), hot and cold drinks, bagels, pastries, eggs, smoothies and yogurt.

And yes: The egg sandwich will taste exactly the same as before. Elvira’s cook returns to Elvira Mae’s.

House accounts return too. Someone just plunked down $100 for the first one.

The deli will be open till 4, serving sandwiches and other fresh food — all made to order, on the grill.

The ice cream window — already a favorite — is open until 9 p.m.

Betsy has not missed a trick. Just above the candy in the back, the wall sports all those kids’ photos that for years sat under the front counter glass. There are pictures too of Stacy, Niki and the rest of the original Elvira’s owners.

Plus a (non-working) pay phone. It’s an homage to decades ago, when the market had the only phone around. When the phone rang the owner walked outside, yelled someone’s name, then waited for that person to walk over and take the call.

In the new Elvira Mae’s, Betsy and Hal’s relatives all pitch in. They believe in her mission: to make everyone feel welcome.

As anyone who’s been to Elvira Mae’s can attest: She already has.