Where one door closes, another one opens. Jeff and Karen Hodgkinson, the owners of Kinder’s BBQ on First Street, will be retiring after 15 years of running the popular delicatessen. However, lovers of hot sandwiches and barbecued entrees need not worry. The space in the historic Washington House will continue to serve hot and cold sandwiches and smoked specialties when the restaurant changes hands. In fact, the new owners are no strangers to First Street.

On Aug. 1, Dominick LaLicata and Suzanne Joncoaltz, the owners of Heritage Pantry and Spice, will be taking over the space at Kinder’s, which will be rebranded as Crossroads Smokehouse and Deli. Joncoaltz said the Kinder’s name would be retiring with the Hodgkinsons, and the crossroads name was chosen due to its location at the corner of First and West D streets as well as the fusion of the two businesses’ offerings.

“We’re at the crossroads on the street, and it’s the crossroads of our two businesses,” she said.

Kinder’s, the BBQ deli chain with 11 locations throughout Northern California, opened its Benicia location in the fall of 2003. Since then, its sandwiches, smoked meats and barbecue sauces have been a hit with residents of all ages. The Benicia Kinder’s has also catered at various events and hosted numerous Benicia High School Grad Night fundraisers. Jeff Hodgkinson said he and his wife made the decision to retire a couple months ago.

“It’s been a great 15 years,” he said. “We love Benicia.”

Joncoaltz said she had gone into Kinder’s one day to talk about equipment, and Jeff had talked her into taking over the space.

“We love what they do,” she said. “We know they’ve been an institution for 15 years, and knowing that we can continue it so that they can be able to retire, it’s very exciting for us.”

Husband and wife LaLicata and Joncoaltz opened Heritage Pantry and Spice in the Tannery Building in 2015, where they sold gourmet oils, spices, vinegar and condiments, many of them produced locally. The business was a big hit, so much so that it moved to a bigger space in the Treasury Commons a year later, where Joncoaltz and LaLicata added locally produced cheeses and meats to their inventory. Starting this year, Heritage began serving sandwiches, which come in cold and grilled varieties using locally produced gourmet ingredients. Many of the sandwiches have pop culture inspired names like “Han Shot First,” “Winter is Coming,” “You’re a Wizard Harry” and a roast beef and cheese sandwich called “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.”

Although Crossroads will retain neither the Kinder’s nor the Heritage names, patrons of both businesses should expect a lot of the same items. The barbecue from Kinder’s will remain in place, as well as the live music and same general menu. Meanwhile, the new owners will continue selling Heritage’s signature sandwiches as well as its spices, oils and local goods.

“We don’t see changing what they offer,” Joncoaltz said. “Our sandwiches, meats and cheeses are very popular, so we don’t see a need to do anything different. We’ll just be doing the two things in a larger space.”

One thing Joncoaltz is looking forward to is having patio seating.

“We’re looking to foster a feeling on the patio where you can come and hang out and connect with your community,” she said.

Additionally, Joncoaltz said she and LaLicata are looking to extend the hours so they can be open later.

“When people are coming home from work, they don’t miss us in the evening,” she said.

Overall, Joncoaltz said she and LaLicata are thrilled about the prospect. Jeff Hodgkinson is also happy to turn the space over to the couple.

“I think it’s going to be a great success,” he said. “I love the people, they’re very nice people. I think you’re gonna see a really nice establishment here.”

The Washington House is located at 333 First St.