New sandwich shop aims to elevate lunchtime options in Old East Village

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A new sandwich shop in Old East Village is aiming to change London’s lunch game, its owners say.

The stars aligned for Renee Kaplansky, owner of Renee’s Sandwich Shop and Catering, who wanted to offer Londoners more options for a quick bite, especially sandwiches.

“I love sandwiches. And I was tired of my (sandwich) choices in London,” said Kaplansky, who opened the shop with her partner, Theo Agathos.

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Located at 1018 Dundas St. near the heart of Old East Village, the shop has been open less than a week, but Kaplansky said she’s already had many returning customers.

The shop came to life quickly after Kaplansky’s father suggested a schnitzel truck. That was not what she had envisioned.

So, when the storefront was vacated – it formerly housed Kaplansky’s favourite cafe – she took a leap.

It’s been a lot of the “same-old” sandwich spots with mostly fast-food choices, Kaplansky said, so taking the lunch game to the next level with “amazing, quick but delicious and healthy food” is what the shop offers, she said.

The menu ranges from hot sandwiches such as the Schnitiz, made with chicken, fermented vegetables, red cabbage, pickles and lemon oil, which goes for $15, to an instant favourite: Tukey Brie, a cold sandwich with oven-roasted turkey, cranberry aioli, brie, onion bacon jam, granny smith apple and arugula. The sandwiches are all fresh and made in-house.

The shop also caters, and office orders have kept it busy. Not your typical tray of sandwiches on a tray, Kaplansky said, they’re delivered stacked “beautifully” in a box.

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“Who doesn’t love a box of amazing sandwiches?” she said.

The shop is not using food delivery apps to avoid overcharging customers and to ensure food is kept at a standard.

For Kaplansky, focusing on good customer service is essential, she said.

“I want them (customers) to not only get good quality food but get the feeling that we want to serve them, and we’re happy to have them, which is very genuine,” she said.

“Old East Village have come out in droves so far for us, but we hope we can be the sandwich shop for everyone,” she said. “I’m so grateful to the community and for the support and I’m really grateful, especially as a small business owner.”

bbaleeiro@postmedia.com
@BeaBaleeiro

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