W. Curt Vincent
Editor
ELIZABETHTOWN — For decades, the City Sandwich Shop on Poplar Street has stood as an institution in downtown Elizabethtown. But for the better part of two years, it has sat vacant as it awaited someone to breath new life into it.
That new life begins Monday, Feb. 6, when the restaurant reopens under new ownership and management.
The new City Sandwich Shop will boast a completely renovated inside with all new equipment, but the menu will be nearly the same as its always been — with a few additions.
“This is a good location and it did well for a long time,” said Lisa Walters, who will manage the restaurant and serve as one of its cooks. “I think we’ll do pretty well here, as well.”
Walters, whose mother, Patricia Smith, is leasing the facility from Charles Taylor, brings with her a number of years of restaurant experience. Among her credits are stops working at Cain’s Grill in White Oak, Bridgeman’s in Tar Heel and the Corner Cafe just a few doors north in Elizabethtown.
The staff at the new restaurant will feature a real family flavor. Walters’ daughters, Ashley and Courtney, will be servers and her brother, Ernie Smith Jr., will serve as the other cook.
And it was because of Walters’ father that the restaurant idea even came up.
“My dad and I always wanted a restaurant,” Walters said, “and one day we just decided to do it.”
Despite his interest in the effort, Walters said her father would not be working in the restaurant, “but I bet people will see him here quite a bit.”
During the planning stages of the effort, alters said they decided to keep the name.
“Honestly, it’s cheaper to do that … and it’s been the City Sandwich Shop for so long,” Walters said. “We wanted to take advantage of the name recognition.”
The restaurant under Walters will continue to offer sandwiches, plate specials and a full breakfast all day long just as the City Sandwich Shop has since the 1960s. But there are also some things folks will see that are new.
“We plan to also try wraps and salads, just to offer healthier items,” Walters said. “We’ll also be offering collard sandwiches on cornbread fritters — along with the burgers, hot dogs and fried chicken. I think the fried chicken will be a big item here.”
The City Sandwich Shop will be open from 5:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Orders can also be called in for pickup during regular business hours at 862-7263.
Walters said all EMS, law enforcement and firefighters who visit the City Sandwich Shop in uniform will receive a 10-percent discount on their meals.
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