A Cotuit couple is realizing a dream in Onset, and keeping one of the village's storefronts bustling.

The former owner of sandwich shop Melina's in the Village put the 1 West Central Ave. business up for sale several weeks ago, but Michael and Michelle Mcgee stumbled upon it at the perfect time.

“This is a hidden gem,” Michelle said of Onset, recalling the day that she and Michael drove through the village and noticed the “for sale” sign in the window of Melina's. The two have always wanted to open a sandwich shop together, and after some consideration, they decided “it's either now or never,” Michelle said.

So the couple purchased the business and wasted no time getting up-and-running. They decided to keep the Melina's name, and put their energy into the menu.

“We wanted to focus right away on putting out excellent food,” Michelle said.

The owners received their operational license on October 19 and opened on the 23rd.

"Everything has fallen into place," Michelle said. "It's meant to be."

The menu offers a wide array of sandwiches and paninis, with vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options. (All sandwiches can be served on gluten-free bread.) Some sandwiches feature Michelle's homemade rosemary mayonnaise and sun-dried tomato spread.

Michelle and Michael call it “year-round comfort food,” meant to be delicious, health-conscious, and price-friendly.

“We're trying to have something for everyone,” Michelle said.

The menu includes a signature vegetarian sandwich, called "The Veggie in the Sun," with Michelle's sun-dried tomato spread, seasoned baked tofu, cheddar cheese, hummus, shredded carrots, cucumber, tomato, lettuce, and avocado. (There's also a meat-eater's version called "Turkey in the Sun.")

"I really wanted a 'wow' sandwich that was totally vegetarian," Michelle said. (The couple's daughter, Melanie, a long-time vegetarian, gave the sandwich her seal of approval.)

In addition to sandwiches, Melina's offers soups made with Michelle's own homemade stock. She is a “soup lover,” and remembered telling her husband, “when we do realize this dream, there's going to be soup and it's going to be homemade.” Three soups are available daily, and there is always a vegetarian and gluten-free choice.

And for those looking for dessert, Melina's has various homemade baked goods (and gluten-free options, too), as well as coffee from Hopkinton's Red Barn Coffee Roasters.

Michael and Michelle plan to expand their menu as the weeks progress. They are continuing to offer a Thursday night take-out special for $9.95. (This week's special is chicken or eggplant parmesan over angel-hair pasta, with a tossed salad and apple crisp.) Brunch will be offered on Sundays starting this week, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Michael and Michelle said they're excited to be a part of the Onset community and are looking forward to providing the area with "food that comes from the heart."

Melina's in the Village is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday (closed Tuesday), and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.