Sandwich shop spreads joy
An impromptu program at the Upper Crust sandwich shop on South Main Street is benefiting not only its customers, but also its fellow downtown business owners.
Steve Braden, owner of Upper Crust, decided to buy a 32-inch smart television and hold a drawing in which each patron who spent at least $5 would be given a ticket.
Enter his daughter, Brittany Braden, who manages Upper Crust.
She suggested her father buy gift certificates from various downtown businesses to add to the drawing.
“We appreciate them and they appreciate us, so we decided to help them out,” Brittany Braden said as she bagged up an order on Wednesday.
Upper Crust bought gift certificates from 19 downtown businesses to include in the drawing, and stuck with the idea that each customer who spent at least $5 fill out a ticket.
At 2 p.m. on Wednesday, 20 tickets were drawn for the TV and certificates.
Steve Braden said he is thankful the sandwich shop remained busy during the original coronavirus pandemic shutdown in March as well as the current restrictions on dining inside restaurants.
“Our customers have been very loyal getting takeout,” he said, “so we decided to try and give back to them.”
He also is glad to help the businesses downtown, especially those who frequently order sandwiches from Upper Crust.
Braden said the shop also provides the occasional sandwich to the city's homeless population, who need only alert a staff member that they are hungry and without money.
“We wanted to do something positive during this crappy year,” he said. “We've always believed in giving back.”
Brittany Braden said a restaurant could produce the best-tasting food in the world, but isn't complete if they fail to serve their community.
“This has been a year that has been extremely difficult for so many people,” she said. “We wanted to spread a little joy and cheer to our customers and the community.”
