AUBURN – After 20 years of managing someone else’s restaurant, Holly Mireault is ready for a place of her own.

Holly’s Own Deli, a cafe/wine bar combo, should be open May 15 in the space formerly occupied by the Black Watch restaurant on Court Street.

“It’s scary, but it’s what I wanted to do for a long time,” said Mireault. She and her staff were busy painting walls and redecorating Tuesday, taking a break only to run to City Hall and check on permit and license applications.

The restaurant will feature a deli downstairs for eat-in or takeout breakfast and lunch customers, and a wine bar upstairs for evening guests. The patio will also be used for alfresco eating and listening to live entertainment as weather permits.

“Our motto is ‘simple food, sophisticated taste,'” she said.

It’s a formula that she’s perfected as kitchen manager in local eateries, including 15 years at Austin’s Fine Wines and Foods. She also managed the Midnight Blues Club and Black Watch kitchens.

But she’s wanted to have a place of her own for a long time, and so began putting together a business plan three months ago. When Tim Veilleux bought the Black Watch property at auction last month, she leapt at the chance to move into it.

“I told him I’d bring a check over right now, and the next day I got the key,” she said recalling the deal. “It was meant to be.”

Mireault said the wine bar upstairs will feature a selection of wines of varying prices that she plans to pair with appetizers and tapas to complement each other. A light menu will be available, but the focus of the upstairs is to create a relaxed, refined gathering spot for adults.

“We still have that nice fireplace, and we’re adding a couch and chairs,” she said, noting the decor is changing from its dark, Scottish Highlands roots to a warm, burnished Tuscany feel. “It’s a perfect spot for eating brie wrapped in puff pastry, sipping a glass of wine and enjoying yourself.”

Downstairs will focus on the breakfast and lunch crowds. Early-morning customers will have a full choice of coffees, lattes, cappuccino, espresso, as well as baked goods made from scratch, to get their day going.

Lunch fare will feature Mireault’s specialty homemade soups and Holly Dill Salad, as well as sandwiches and daily specials. Hot items such as lasagna and quiche will also be offered. She plans to use fresh ingredients – many of which she and her husband grow on their organic farm – as well as generous fillings.

“All our sandwiches will have 6 ounces of meat, two slices of cheese, plus lettuce, sprouts, whatever else,” she said. “People will definitely be getting a good product.”

Sandwich prices will be in the $6 to $7 range, she said. Wireless Internet is also planned for customers who like to surf and nosh simultaneously.

All the deli meats and cheeses will be for sale by the pound, said Mireault, and she also expects to offer catering services. She intends to use local goods whenever she can, including cheese from Smiling Hill Farm and 3 Olives vodka from White Rock Distilleries.

A hometown girl, she’s glad to be giving a boost to others while she launches her own food-service dream.

“I’ve watched it for 20 years, and experienced it, and always said one of these days, I’ll do it myself,” she said, noting that now’s the time. “It’s exciting, scary and fun.”