Jeffrey and Mara DeBonee have owned and operated Sandwich Works in Newton Centre for more than four decades. Throughout that time, the family-owned business has consistently made community and loyal customers its top priority, going out of its way to help those in need.
“We’re not really here to make money,” said Jeffrey DeBonee to Fig City News. “We just like to help people and make people happy.”
Jeffrey, Mara, and their employees know the majority of their customers by name, and have their orders memorized, adding to the restaurant’s welcoming, neighborhood atmosphere. Even minutes before closing, postal workers, firemen, and families are greeted warmly and often linger to chat with the owners.
“Mara and Jeff are always so nice to us,” said Christian, a Sandwich Works regular who works at the Post Office. “Whatever we need, water, snacks, they always hook us up.” Matt, another Post Office employee who regularly takes his lunches at Sandwich Works, agreed with Christian. “I like the people,” Matt added. “The workers, the owners. That’s pretty much it.”
Beyond remembering customers’ orders and “hooking them up,” Jeffrey and Mara have developed genuine relationships with many of the people who walk through their doors.
“Once you get to know people, you know when they’re having good times and when they’re having rough times,” Jeffrey said.
He recalled one customer whose wife was battling cancer.
“We don’t take money for his breakfast when he comes, we tell him to put it towards parking or whatever else he may need.”
The couple also chose to keep Sandwich Works open throughout the COVID-19 lockdown, despite having very little business.
“We made almost no money,” said Jeffrey. “But we stayed open so all the doctors and nurses and policemen had somewhere to go.”
While Sandwich Works has remained a longtime neighborhood favorite, the business has also adapted to changing customer habits. They now accept orders through DoorDash, Uber Eats, and GrubHub, expanding their reach well beyond Newton.
“People came all the way from Canton,” said Jeffrey. “Are there no sandwiches in Canton?”
Sandwich Works has also created a social media presence for themselves, growing their Instagram account with the help of a loyal customer – whom they pay with a combination of money and snacks.
Behind the scenes, Sandwich Works also serves the community with its catering business, which often keeps the kitchen busy when the shop is closed.
After more than 40 years in business, Jeffrey and Mara say they are happy with what they have built. They remain committed to serving their customers and look forward to continuing to run Sandwich Works for years to come.
Leah Greiner is a Fig City News summer intern, a rising senior at Newton South High School, and co-Editor-in-Chief of the Denebola.