If you ever worked at Sandy's, you should know that you are remembered often and fondly.
In 41+ years, Mom and Dad employed hundreds (over a thousand?) people. And I'm not exaggerating when I say that they are the part of Sandy's we remember and treasure most. Some families sit around the den and talk about past holidays, vacations or funny family incidents. We do that for sure, but we also spend a lot of time reminiscing about past employees who became like family to us over. Mom spoke to them on the phone daily for figures and P&Ls. Dad worked with them in the stores everyday. All my life, I've know when you were getting married, having babies, breaking up with girlfriends or boyfriends, applying for law school, entering the US Air Force, and even once, buying a pot bellied pig. I heard about it
The first group of employees in 1979 helped us open the very first store. They didn't just serve hot dogs and ice cream. They helped paint and prep the store. And they had to be flexible, because the payroll was small. That first year, if there weren't customers, those kids got sent home and asked to return the next day. And they did over and over again.
This group was special, because they got to see and help Sandy's make it or not. So few new restaurants survive past the first year. Sandy's made it. Those employees were a key part of that.
I was only eight, so they seemed like grownups. Really they were in high school. Somehow the first few found a little hot dog and ice cream shop opening in Village Square Shopping Center in Lexington, South Carolina and asked for jobs Then they brought their friends. Eventually there was a crew of sharp, energetic, fun students there. Everyone was needed and appreciated. Leslie was only 13, but she was in the thick of it. She can probably tell you more about those kids. To me, they just seemed to make the place even more fun.
In the early days, the entire family was in the shop as much as possible: Mom, Dad, and Leslie behind the counter serving; me in the back booth drawing and watching a tiny tv. Mom sewed aprons for everyone, and made me a small one to match. I'd make the rounds with a tray of ice water to offer the ice cream customers.
Dad had been testing the chili recipe on family and neighbors for awhile at that point. I still remember him with a tiny cast iron skillet in the kitchen at home tweaking the recipe. The first recipe had a little ketchup in it. I still remember the taste distinctly. It's only the tiniest bit different from what it became. And it only changed because eventually he had to make such mass quantities of it. Something about the ketchup could scorch if not cooked exactly right I think. So he made it in a way that could be cooked consistently and deliciously when the managers would be cooking it when there were more stores. If you know my dad, you know he always expected to have more stores. Boy, was he was right.
to be continued