Steve Sanelli, owner of Goodfellas Sandwich Shop in Eastgate, can name all of his regulars. There’s the Issaquah teacher who comes to celebrate school being out each summer with her favorite sandwich, and all the familiar faces from the people who work at T-Mobile or Group Health nearby, to name a few.
Steve said the community loves and supports the shop – which is why it’s heartbreaking he and his wife must end their business. Since a new landlord has declared other plans for the building where Goodfellas is housed, the 10-year-old sandwich shop is closing its doors Friday, June 24.
Sicily Sanelli, the couple’s daughter, said customers loved Goodfellas’ unique grinders and subs, such as the “Bada Bing” and “Freddy Fungo.”
“My Dad made his own roast beef and my grandma makes the Italian sausage,” she said.
It’s community appreciation for the neighborhood sandwich shop (located on 13555 S.E. 36th St.) that Sicily and her siblings, Angelina, Stephen and Mario, hope to capture in a gift for their parents – a memory book. The brothers and sisters sent out a mass email to friends, family and customers to collect everyone’s favorite stories and experiences from Goodfellas.
One person who responded, a friend of the family, spoke about Steve and Melinda’s welcoming attitude.
“Whenever one of our friends needed some work, my parents’ arms were wide open,” Sicily said.
In addition to friends, all of the couple’s four children have worked in the shop, as well their boyfriends, girlfriends and spouses. Steve and Melinda saw their family blossom here.
“My son even grew up in the back room,” Angelina said.
Now, Steve said he will continue as Issaquah High assistant baseball coach and Melinda, who helped out at the sandwich shop a few days a week, will continue her main job at PCC.
The Issaquah residents, who previously owned Sinelli’s Deli in Bellevue, will likely not open another business, considering the high cost it takes to start from scratch all over again.
“It’s bittersweet,” Steve said. “On the one hand, I haven’t had a vacation in 10 years. On the other hand, I’m losing my business.”
Jessica Crites (back row, from left), Mario Sanelli, Julie Donate, Stephen Sanelli, Sicily Sanelli, Nolan Graham, Angelina Edwins and Tyler Edwins join Melinda Sanelli (front row, from left) Brody Edwins and Steve Sanelli for a last lunch at Goodfellas Sandwich Shop on Tuesday. Courtesy of the Sinelli family.
