Yummy Grub Sandwich Shop At Risk Of Closing Its Doors
Jeff Janfada works tirelessly to stack the sandwiches, grill the burgers, and make the ice cream, hoping to fulfill a lifelong dream of rais...
http://www.menifee247.com/2011/06/yummy-grub-sandwich-shop-at-risk-of.html
Jeff Janfada works tirelessly to stack the sandwiches, grill the burgers, and make the ice cream, hoping to fulfill a lifelong dream of raising a family in Southern California supported by the income of his tiny sandwich shop, Yummy Grub.But soon the doors to his Menifee-based business could close up for good, a victim of corporate franchise marketing muscle, and an economy still struggling to recover.
"The business is just not good", he says of his 2 1/2 year old establishment. "The economy, and the big guys are eating the small guys. The businesses next door to me are going to Subway because they've saturated the city with tons of coupons."
Lunch hour is Jeff's busiest part of the day, yet business was still light, affording him enough time to explain the frustrations of keeping his sandwich shop going, including not having the funds to market his business, the poor visibility within Bradley Business Center, and having had money stolen from his cash register on separate occasions.
To make matters worse, his wife lost her job a month ago. "She used to work at Fallbrook Hospital; she has a masters in nursing." he explains. "They're trying to get rid of regulars so they don't have to pay for benefits."
Yummy Grub, despite its small personal charm, friendly service, doesn't earn a profit, nor lose any money. "I'm only breaking even on this place", he says. "With my wife out of a job, we have no money."
Jeff offered up his latest sandwich, smoked tri-tip. "Rob McDowell from Good Shepard Lutheran Church has a smoker", he explained. "I handed him some tri-tip, and he smoked it for me." He also offered up samples of philly cheese steak, his home made Oreo Cookie ice cream, and poured me a cup of iced chai tea.
"I only use fresh ingredients." he continued. "The lettuce, the tomatoes, the avocados, the onions, I buy it all fresh and slice it myself. I even make the ice cream by hand. I used to work at Denny's 20 years ago, and nothing there is fresh. Here, everything is fresh."
At this point, Jeff doesn't know what he's going to do if he has to close up the shop. He's open to offers, either to sell the place, or to take on a partner. "I don't have a certain date for closure, but it's getting very close to that."
You can visit Yummy Grub at...
Yummy Grub
29800 Bradley Rd, Ste 120
(inside Bradley Business Center)
Menifee, CA 92586
(951) 672-6700
Mon-Sat: 8:30am - 8:30pm
Sun: 9:00am - 6:00pm
http://www.eatyummygrub.com
Related articles...
- Photos From Yummy Grub Ping Pong & Ice Cream Contest - Apr 5, 2011
- Yummy Grub Ping Pong Tourney and Ice Cream Contest - Mar 31, 2011
- Yummy Grub Gets Even More Yummy - Mar 7, 2011
- Yummy Grub Keeping Menifee Well Fed - Dec 28, 2010
I have yet to eat at this shop and really look forward to trying it soon.
ReplyDeleteI really hope it stays open. Maybe his wife could gain employment at the new Loma Linda Hospital.
Loaction is the key! Didn't even know they were there. Maybe if things get better, they could move to another location. I don't even think Subway would do well at that spot.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear that they are not making it. It is hard for mom & pop stores to compete. I wish we had something like this on the East side of 215. It is such a bear trying to get over the bridge and down there.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck.
I will make it a point to eat there this week, and encourage my friends to do the same. I'm a coupon freak, but when it comes to fresh ingredients, yummy food and helping support an independent shop rather than a national chain that actually tastes like an underground train, I'm more than willing to spend a little more. Definitely want to see businesses thrive in our community.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes to Jeff and his wife, and I pray she quickly finds a new job closer to home.
If the shop was on the Eastern side of the 215 I would eat there at least once a week. I ate there once and the food was ten times better than any Subway or Togo's sandwich I have ever had. The price is pretty much the same. Unfortunately, the traffic on Newport to get over the bridge makes getting there and back take almost an hour and with the cost of gas these days it is not economically viable for me.
ReplyDeleteWe need to support our local shops such as this one. I propose we all try Yummy Grub instead of Subway or Submarina. Jeff and his family would be appreciative, they have a personal investment in their business and are not a franchise. Let's not let our neighbor down is all I'm saying.
ReplyDeleteFor those that live on the east side, forget about Newport, take instead, McCall to Bradley hang a left and drive until you get to the Menifee Valley Athletic Club on your left and you know its in THAT mall. (dont' recall the street name) right before Newport. Drive to the back.
ReplyDeleteSecondly, remember when you first open a business its very important to have it 'right the first time', first impressions are the key to folks returning. Location location location is also another key to success. I wish them the best! and, they do take coupons!
I enjoyed eating there in the past. As so many others have mentioned getting over to the West side is a bear especially during lunch and dinner. Getting over to McCall from my home is another issue. I actually got on the 215 North to McCall and down Bradley and reversed to get back.I'm sorry but having to go that route for a sandwich was just too much.I wish them all the best and I'll still go there but not very often cause of that darn overpass traffic.
ReplyDeletethese comments about Newport and getting across from east to west should be a wake up call for the cities leaders, it can only get worse with a new mall being built right a newport and haun. I'd like to suggest another East to West be built in between McCall and Newport, you could connect going thru the hills or do something with the existing flood zone area, perhaps a bridge that would connect the I-215 with Bradley or further down to Murrieta Blvd.
ReplyDelete