Steph Subs

Steph Subs

Staying in a dorm and eating from a cafeteria can become unenjoyable and repetitive. While staying in Bloomsburg, college students like to venture and try new things. Walking through the doors of Steph's, the scent of freshly baked bread, oil, and the fresh scent of a clean shop overwhelms your nose. The old maroon and brown tile and old clock on the wall takes you back in time. The shop is spacious, but cozy for its townspeople and college students. Customers crowd the counter and the phone rings off the hook when through the shop noise you hear, "Hello, how can I help you today?" 

Straight ahead locals eyes catch a full rack of freshly packaged Wise potato chips in various flavors. The walls above the counter is filled with smaller chalk boards labeled "Welcome to Steph's, Salads, Hot Subs, and Cold Subs," each with a lowering list of even more options to read and make your stomach growl. 

"Steph's has been open since 1920. Berrigan's left and I needed a job. I've worked here for 50 years before I came to own it." Steph had worked at the old shop here before called Berrigan's and describes her rewarding past times with passion and pride. When some people think of subs, they may think of the chain original Subway, but what sets Steph's apart is the oil and the recipe that has been passed down to Steph when she received ownership of the shop.

Coming to Bloomsburg, the main street is filled with restaurants, mom and pop shops, and stores. Steph draws in more townspeople then college students, but tend to leave an impact on both. 

"I started working here in 1994 when I was in college, Steph was my manager. She's like a second mom and we have maintained our relationship for 30 years." Abbey significantly shares. The manager Abbey, has been here too since her college career. The passion and sacrifice she has had for the shop goes above and beyond. Her unofficial title reflects a responsible and caring manager. 

"I would say the community, were like a big family now." As explained by Emily, a worker at Steph Subs, the shop is like home. Emily lives in a different town and is a college student at Bloomsburg University. She has been working at Steph's throughout her college career and has a favorite customer who helped her missing home. A man comes in daily and always sparks a conversation with her. Emily has come to find out, this man was from her hometown. This made Emily light up and feel like she was home. 

The most popular sub on the menu is a regular. This sub includes delicious freshly cut salami, pepperoni, ham and cheese of your choice. The menu has many options of toppings including mayo, lettuce, tomato, onion, sweet and hot peppers, shakers and most importantly - oil. 

"The regular. its been the same since Berrigan's, for like 40 plus 50 years. That's what everyone comes back for." shares manager, Abbey. Though the oil may be generously shared on customers, the recipe stays silent and engraved in the mind of Steph.

"Mya I need you to get that phone please!"Abbey exciting exclaims to a worker across the shop. "Got it Abbey!" a replying worker rushes to say while half jogging to the phone. 

As you sit on one of the old chairs in the middle of the shop, you can feel like adrenaline and rush of every worker in the shop. "Seem pretty busy today Abs," a customer remarks. "Yeah, next week is Bloomsburg Fair, lots to do." exhaustedly gets responded.

Steph is also set apart because of their contribution to Bloomsburg University and the local schools and businesses throughout the town. Whether you are hungry or a college student needing a job, Steph's has your back. This small but cozy sub shop on the Main Street of Bloomsburg provides a home for townspeople and the college community. As customers eat, the pictures and banners throughout the shop wrap around you like hugs.