THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, January 11, 2019 ~THE ADVOCATE ASKS~ Page 3 The Santoro brothers reflect on four decades of running the family sub shop, which closes next month Editor’s Note: For this week, we sat down with Rich and Rob Santoro, brothers and co-owners of Santoro’s Sub-Villa, a popular sub shop on Essex Street off of Route 1 in Saugus, which announced to customers last week that it will be closing for good around Feb. 3. We asked the brothers to share some interesting stories about the business that their late grandfather – Robert Santoro, Sr. – began in 1954. Rich, 55, of North Reading, and Rob, 56, of North Reading, took over the sub shop from their late father – Robert Santoro, Jr. – about 40 years ago. Their family roots are in Stoneham, where they grew up. But they each have a strong local connection to the town: Rich’s wife, the former Joy Merrithew, and Rob’s wife, the former Candace Draper, are both Saugus High School graduates. Thousands of Saugus teenagers have worked for the sub shop over the years. With no children who can one day oversee the family business for a fourth generation, the brothers decided it’s time to say goodbye to Saugus and the loyal customers their family has served at three locations off of Route 1 for 65 years. Some highlights of the interview follow. Q: Rich, tell me how it all began. Rich: Well, my grandfather was in the tile business, and he was looking for something as a cash business. He and my father discussed it and they decided to go into the sub business, and that’s when they opened up in 1954, over here [where the Dunkin’ Donuts is]. And they got so big so quick this place – “When I was a kid, my dad used to take me” – and it’s good to hear. I wish we had more time to sit out and talk to the people, but we’ve been so busy. [During the interview, several customers came over and talked to the brothers and wished them well.] Q: So tell me, Rich, what’s the TAKING A BREAK: Left to right, brothers Rich and Rob Santoro relax during an interview this week at Santoro’s Sub-Villa on Essex Street off of Route 1 in Saugus. The brothers recently announced to their customers that they are calling it quits on or about Feb. 3, ending more than six decades of family ownership through three generations. (Saugus Advocate Photos by Mark E. Vogler) that they had to buy the property where the Walgreens is now, and they built it up from there. My father took over. My grandfather retired in the mid 60’s. In the late 80’s, Rob and I started to take over gradually, and by the time we got over here in ’91, pretty much my father had retired and we took over. Q: Now you guys are cobosses? Rob: Yup. We’re here every day. Q: As you look back on the history of the business, what’s the most memorable experience for you? Rob: Well, the most fascinating thing for me is the amount of people that still come here 40 years later – they are still regular customers – and the amount of kids that we’ve had work here, and they grow up and they get married and their kids work here. And we’re closing now, but they’re all coming in and want to be a part of it. It’s just been very humbling to us to see all of the people come back and wish us well. Q: How many kids worked over here over the years? Rich: Thousands. Just thousands of kids, and it’s not only the mother or father – it’s generations because they know it’s a great place to work. We’ll have a brother and a sister or two sisters work for us; they’ll grow up, have kids and they’ll come in. So, it’s always the story of “My grandfather used to take me here and my father started taking me here” and so on. Rob: We’ve been getting a lot of that lately, customers coming in while we’re trying to work. They’re yelling back to us about their memories of secret to your success here? Rich: A couple of things. My family created a quality product and stuck with it through the years, starting with the Piantedosi roll [Piantedosi Baking Co. in Malden]. We’re buying quality products, not skimp“We have been with Adult Foster Care of the North Shore for over five years. They have been there for us through thick and thin. When my husband passed away and I didn’t know how to tell Gerry, AFCNS was there to help.” ~ Mary, Caregiver to Son, Gerry 978-281-2612 AdultFosterCareNS.com Celebrating 15 Years SABATINO INSURANCE AGENCY Call for a Quote 617-387-7466 Or email Rocco@sabatino-ins.com We cover: * Auto * Home * Boat * Renter * Condo * Life * Multi-Policy Discounts * Commercial 10% Discounts * Registry Service Also Available ing on it for the profit margin. We always stuck with this same, simple recipe, and, it’s just a good product – and “What would you like on it?” We start with that … and then the relationships with the customers and employees – generations of both – and that we treat them like family and it truly makes us a family business. Q: So, you’ve been using the Piantedosi roll from the inception? Rich: Yeah. Their bakery is like a hundred years old, but ASKS | SEE PAGE 4 http://www.sabatino-ins.com SABATINO 564 Broadway Everett, MA 02149 617-387-7466 Hours of Operation are: Mondays - Fridays 9am to 5pm Saturdays by appointment only
4 Publizr Home