Dueling 10th Avenue Delis Ask, Whose 'High Line' is it Anyway? Updated June 24, 2011 6:50am

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By Meredith Hoffman

DNAinfo Reporter/Producer

CHELSEA —  Businesses near the High Line have seen an upswing in business thanks to the latest portion of the elevated garden path that opened June 7.

But the growth of the popular destination has also sparked a mild rivalry among two delis on 10th Avenue that both have the "High Line" in their name.

Ahmed Abdullah's High Line Gourmet Deli opened in April on West 29th Street and 10th Avenue, just a block away from the High Line Deli on 10th Avenue and West 28th Street.

"I think he just wants to steal the name and change one small thing," said Mahmoud Abo, the owner of the High Line Deli. "I got this name back when I opened in October 2009, I've had it all along."

Abo said he has chosen not to confront Abdullah personally, but that he plans to consult his lawyer about the issue.

Abdullah said he has legal rights to his name, and claimed the West 28th Street business' name is actually the "High Line Grill."

"That's completely different," Abdullah said. "I moved here for the High Line, because I knew there'd be a lot of people coming here."

Though the men have their differences, both Abdullah and Martin said business has picked up since the opening of the walkway and the social space the Lot on Tap.

"Everybody wants the name 'High Line,'" laughed Luis Martin, a cook at Abo's deli who's worked in the neighrbohood for years. "Before everybody wanted 'Chelsea.'"

"Well, it helps business," Martin said.

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By Meredith Hoffman, DNAinfo.com

Follow Meredith on Twitter @Merhoffman