I think Burlingame's charm is what makes it so great. Sure, it's the quaint neighborhoods and the architecture and the trees, but it's the people that contribute the most to that charm. Some ofthose people are local businesspeople. Case in point are Rino Betti and June Williams. They own and run Sam's Italian Sandwiches, opened 41 years ago yesterday. But lately it's been rough going. Very rough. Many more new franchise competitors than ever before, the cost of capital improvements when they moved from their original location, the rise in the cost of goods and rent.
They need help. Oh sure, you can stop in more often and grab the best sandwich this side of San Francisco, but they need more than that right now. Please consider logging onto www.savesams.com and hitting the donation button. Do it now and help save a Burlingame institution. Don't let another Mom and Pop disappear.
Great suggestion, Russ! Sam's is an institution (a Burlingame Gem, as they say). Just donate! Payment can even be made through Paypal, and takes about 1 minute.
Posted by: Anne | March 13, 2013 at 08:09 AM
Thanks for letting us know, Russ- Let's help these folks out!
Posted by: jennifer | March 13, 2013 at 04:57 PM
Couple good things in the DJ today, here's the first one:
On Monday, the Burlingame City Council will consider altering its lease with Sam’s Italian Sandwich Company at 1080 Howard Ave. to help keep the beloved shop open. The proposal is to lower the monthly rent to $1,700 per month for an annual reduction in rent of $6,563.52. It also calls for the city to use the $4,000 security deposit to pay delinquent rent and allow the tenant to pay $100 installments toward a new deposit of $2,000, according to the contract.
The move would help the mom-and-pop business. A community effort was started last week, at savesams.com, to raise $10,000 in donations to support the shop that opened in downtown Burlingame in 1972.
http://www.smdailyjournal.com/article_preview.php?id=1764998&title=Burlingame City Council to lower rent for Sam’s Italian Sandwich Company
Posted by: Joe | March 16, 2013 at 01:22 PM
And here is the second:
Kudos to Cathy Baylock and Russ Cohen for their efforts in support of Sam’s Sandwiches, and to the Daily Journal for the front page article, “Effort launched to save Sam’s,” in the March 13 edition of the Daily Journal.
There is not a better or more enjoyable lunch anywhere in Burlingame. Every Wednesday, I have an all-American hot dog with sauerkraut and onions, or a grilled Reuben sandwich if I feel I can tolerate a few more calories. My wife has a hot dog with onions, tomato, sweet relish and mustard. Sam’s potato salad alone is worth the trip — there are none better. Everything is fresh and wholesome and well prepared. After a few weeks, Rino will ask you if you want your usual, and when you come in at Christmas time June will give you a gourmet salami.
If Sam’s closes, one part of what makes Burlingame the place we all want to live will be gone. The fund that Cathy and Russ set up needs $10,000 to enable the city to help Sam’s transition to firmer financial footing. Have lunch there and then visit savesams.com. You’ll be glad you did.
Mike Reitsma and Pam Buckley
Burlingame
http://www.smdailyjournal.com/article_preview.php?type=opinions&title=Letter: Save Sam’s&id=1764956
Posted by: Joe | March 16, 2013 at 01:23 PM
News flash!! After one week of fund-raising, the campaign has received over $3600 in donations from over 60 donors. Donations have come from near and far, even from places such as Portland, OR, Merlin, OR, Round Rock, TX Boise, ID and Washington state! It's not too late to help.
Simply hit the donate button on the website: www.savesams.com
Posted by: Russ | March 21, 2013 at 02:24 PM
Some updates and more.
Donations have been streaming in and the total is inching closer to the goal of $10K. Today it is just over $7K.
Yesterday, John Horgan's column in the San Mateo Times mentioned our efforts by saying:
"The campaign to preserve a 41-year-old Burlingame sandwich shop is making progress.
The aim is to raise $10,000 to keep Sam's Sandwiches, located in a former Greyhound bus depot at the intersection of Howard Avenue and California Drive, in business. The city, which owns the property, has agreed to reduce owner Rino Betti's rent. According to a website devoted to this project, backers of the fund-raising effort are more than halfway to their goal.
If you are interested in pitching in, go to www.savesams.com.
Posted by: Russ | March 27, 2013 at 11:08 AM