Today we’d like to introduce you to Sandi Wallace.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
In March of 1997, I had an opportunity to purchase a small sandwich shoppe located on the south side of the downtown square in Sulphur Springs. I’ve always enjoyed cooking, enjoyed people, and wanted to own my own business. For over 20 years now, Plain & Fancy has been serving quality dishes and yummy desserts to our customers.
Sulphur Springs has an outstanding downtown plaza. It has the mirrored “see-through” restrooms, a water fountain play area for children, a diverse selection of restaurants, unique retail stores, an antique mall, and lots of weekend fun with live music.
Plain & Fancy is located right in the middle of all the great downtown activities.
Has it been a smooth road?
Owning a small business, especially over a long period of time with all the ecoups & downs, is never easy or for the faint of heart. One time, around 2001, our beautiful courthouse was completely remodeled and major work was done on the streets around the courthouse too. It was an economic nightmare for all businesses on the square. Customers could not get to my storefront for months without major inconveniences. Then again around 2006, the square became a plaza, with the famous glass restrooms, large grassy areas, water feature, and beautiful landscaping. For literally months, my income decreased by at least 40% most days. For a period of time, the shoppe’s front door couldn’t be used because there wasn’t a sidewalk. If it hadn’t been for the local people coming through the back door and continuing to support my business, I financially could not have kept the business in operation. That was a very humbling journey for me, my family and staff. By the grace of God and the most caring town we live in, not one payroll was missed nor any employee laid off.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Plain & Fancy Sandwich Shoppe story. Tell us more about the business.
I’m very blessed to work closely with one of my daughters, Heather. Heather has been by my side for the full 20 years. Her work ethic and drive matches my own and makes for a great working relationship. I’ve always felt it important for at least one of us, if not both, be at the shoppe most of the time. It’s a rare occasion that we are both out of the shoppe during peak hours.
Our menu covers plain sandwiches, fancy sandwiches, soups, wide variety of salads, wraps, decadent desserts, ice cream and basic beverages. We are known for our fancy chicken salad, pimiento cheese and tortilla soup. Our three layer cakes and cheesecakes are crowd pleasers too.
Plain & Fancy has many customers that the staff knows their orders when they walk in the door. Several business executives bring clients or associates into the shoppe because they have confidence that we will do our best to offer an enjoyable dining experience.
Also, who doesn’t like entering a place of business & being called by their name???
I have also catered for over 25 years. Anything from sandwich trays, cookie trays, business lunches, rehearsal dinners, large wedding venues to company picnics. We enjoy tailoring the menu to exactly what the customer wants.
Our hours are Mon-Fri 7:30 am-3:00 pm. Saturday 10am-3:00pm. Extended hours upon occasion.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
Twenty years ago, there were very few restaurants in our small town. Today there are new eating establishments opening every month. Large restaurant chains have begun to open in Sulphur Springs, but most days, I have customers come into Plain & Fancy, looking for the small “mom & pop” eateries. That encourages me!
People seem to be looking for a healthier, lighter choice for their lunches. Plain & Fancy fills that need. Nothing is fried and all our salads are homemade and we use fresh ingredients in preparing our dishes.
Contact Info:
- Address: 120 Main Street,
Sulphur Springs, TX 75482 - Website: plainandfancyshoppe.com
- Phone: 903-885-9225
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: plainandfancyshoppe
- Facebook: Plain and Fancy Sandwich Shoppe
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