Jimmy John’s Future Questionable

The first customer on what was about to be one of the biggest days in the history of Jimmy John's famous hot dog stand, may be the last for awhile.

"Of all days," Sara Steward, the daughter's owner told the Pottstown Mercury after fire ruined the big 70th Anniversary bash they'd planned. NBC10's Tim Furlong had done a story about the famous hot dog stand just the day before.

"It's devastating," Sara said.

What started as a grease fire in the kitchen quickly spread.

"I was in there and all of a sudden I turn around and see a wall in flames, Sara's brother Roger told the paper. "Once the attic went up, that was it."

Sara and her brother Roger grew up in the restaurant. Their dad started working there as a teen in 1974 and ended up buying Jimmy John's from the original owner in 2002. Roger said there was only one customer in the restaurant when the fire started around 8:15 a.m. Saturday. If it had been the lunch hour, the place could have easily been packed.

The Food Network once called Jimmy John's one of the Top 5 roadside stops in the country. It's the oldest business on Route 202 between Wilmington and West Chester.

After the fire, some workers shared their memories with the Pottstown Mercury.

"My father's father would take my dad there when he was little," remembered Jenn Brenner. "He had wonderful memories there because they were able to be together and enjoy a hot dog because it was inexpensive (they were so poor) and they would share some good laughs.

"The one fun place my dad had with his dad, and now it's all gone. I'm so sad. We went to the location with our son and my dad. It is a bittersweet day for him. Good memories, but we are all really upset," Brenner added.