8FFLFOE ing venues. Wimmell bought the shop from friends in 1985 when each of the menu’s five sandwiches cost $2.25. “We started it as a sideline business and then this little holein-the-wall became the best business we owned,� said Wimmell. At the time, Wimmell owned four Supercuts hair salons in Florida and San Jose, and Jeannie Wimmell operated Simply Sandwiches. In 2004, he sold his Supercuts locations and went to work for his wife. Rob and Jeannie met in Berkeley in the early 1970s, when she was studying biology and he was studying business. He became a buyer for U.S. Steel and other businesses and she became a geophysicist at BP until she was laid off. “It was either that or move to Alaska,� he said of his wife’s layoff. “We a bought a home in Danville and raised two kids there. My aspirations were always for my own little business and it worked out well.� Wimmell said that in 2009, the recession took a quarter of the business because of high vacancy rates nearby. To get by, the Wimmells began offering catering to businesses and took no vacations until business began to improve in 2011. “A lot of young people started coming back who were working for high tech and we’ve seen a turnaround that elevated the business back 25 percent,� he said. “In 2012 we’re expecting even more of an increase.� Catering still doesn’t represent a large portion of the business — only 5 to 10 percent — but Simply Sandwiches has regular catering accounts with Stanford, Palo Alto Medical Center, Palo Alto Union School District and Hewlett Packard Co. During the shop’s 26-year history under the Wimmells, it has never expanded and never hired employees, but Wimmell said that’s OK. “We’ve thought about it in the past but decided against it; I’d need another wife,� he said. “Making sandwiches isn’t the most exciting thing in the world. It does get a repetitive but we’re more than compensated by the people and customers who come to see us — some of them go back to 1985.� —Eric Van Susteren is the editorial assistant at the Voice’s sister paper, the Palo Alto Weekly.
Avenidas 5thAnnual Annual Avenidas presents presents itsits4th
Housing Conference BECOME A VOLUNTEER MEDIATOR FOR THE MOUNTAIN VIEW MEDIATION PROGRAM The Mountain View Mediation Program is now accepting applications from volunteers who live or work in Mountain View, or who own property in the City. Typical cases handled by this program include: ➣ Tenant – Landlord ➣ Neighbor -to- Neighbor ➣ Consumer The program, sponsored by the City of Mountain View, seeks applicants representative of the ethnic and economic diversity of the City. Bilingual applicants are particularly encouraged.
y Should you rent or own? y How to stay safe in your home y Ways to unlock your home’s value y Other housing options y How to eliminate clutter y Tips on selling your home Register at Avenidas.org or call (650) 289-5435.
Resources and programs for positive aging
Special thanks to Presenting Sponsor Nancy Goldcamp
Deadline for submitting an application is March 15, 2012 Application material is available at www.mountainview.gov For more information, call the Mediation Program at 650-960-0495 ext. 15
Baby Boomers: Seeking Community?
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We’re building a new “old fashioned� neighborhood of upscale, energy-efficient condos just blocks from downtown MV. Own a private home but also share common facilities such as a crafts room, media room, workshop, roof deck and gardens. Plenty of fellowship and activities with your neighbors, but also private spaces for your own pursuits. We’re 14 households strong and are looking for 5 more to join us. Construction starts this spring, with occupancy by late 2013. Endorsed by the Greenbelt Alliance.
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Support Local Business
Come discover:
Saturday, March 10 8:30 am - 2:30 pm
To find out more or to make reservations for our next social on March 18th:
650-479-MVCC (479-6822) www.MountainViewCohousing.org
FEBRUARY 24, 2012 â– MOUNTAIN VIEW VOICE â–
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