New Sisters residents buy Subway

Steven Smith was a happy Subway Sandwich customer who decided to make the business his own. This month, Smith and partner Trisha Kem bought their second Subway franchise here in Sisters.

Smith and Kem recently moved from Lebanon, Oregon, where they own another Subway. They are happy now to make their home in the small town they've enjoyed visiting for many years.

"I'd always thought I'd live here one day," said Kem. As one of the organizers of the Sweet Home Rodeo and a former rodeo queen, she looks forward to seeing the Sisters' Rodeo.

The new owners start their day early baking bread and preparing ingredients. They are glad to have hired Sisters' resident Jeopardy Vaughan as store manager. She was a former employee in their Lebanon store.

"We're making it work as a team," said Kem.

Smith was a manager in the automotive industry and Kem a paralegal when they changed careers. They were attracted by the freshness and cleanliness required by the Subway franchise. For example, food is handled only while employees are wearing gloves.

"The Subway food was one of the reasons I got involved in the first place," said Smith. He said that while lunch is usually a busy time at Subway, they now have more menu options for dinner, such as steak sandwiches.

The new owners have two projects ahead of them. First, they are remodeling the store to an updated Tuscan design by Christmas. Also, they plan to repair the drive-through so that the menu and speaker function.

"I'd rather stay in my car," said Kem of the coming winter season.

The owners have a history of supporting the community through their business in Lebanon and plan to do the same in Sisters.

"We will be involved in the community," said Smith.

Subway is located on Highway 20 at the east end of town and is open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. everyday.