Lori Graham
Contributing Writer
BLACKSBURG – Customers were lined up out the door early on Dec. 21 as Sub Station II began their last day of food service to the community.
The business, located at 112 Turner St., recently announced on their website at www.substationblacksburg.com that they would close their doors after 37 years of business. Store manager Hamid LaPuasa has planned to retire and spend more time with family and friends. Hamid has managed the store since its opening in December of 1986.
With a location across the street from Virginia Tech University, many students could be found daily in the restaurant, dining on the many menu options of sub sandwiches, salads, side orders of nachos and potato salad, and of course the cookies. Residents, local workers, and visitors to the area often stopped into the restaurant as well while on their lunch breaks or with their families for a quick dinner enjoying the restaurant’s indoor and outdoor seating.
Many locals will recall their Super Special sandwich, #19, which the business referred to as their “claim to fame” consisting of salami, bologna, cheese, turkey, cappicola, ham and pepperoni.
The restaurant also provided catering options with party subs and meat and cheese trays.
As news of the Sub Station closing spread, many customers flocked to the restaurant to get one last taste of their favorite food choice, making for more than the typical long lines in the last weeks of the restaurant’s business.
Many loyal customers and friends of Hamid commented on his Facebook page retirement congratulations and farewells to what some called “the end of an era”.