Seattle sandwich shop asks for community help after $42K repair bill
Fremont sandwich shop faces $42K repair bill from tree roots
A popular Fremont sandwich shop says tree roots caused major plumbing damage, leaving them with a $42,000 repair bill. Paseo owners are now relying on community support as they navigate repairs and rising costs.
SEATTLE - A Fremont sandwich shop is in a bit of a pickle, as owners said it was hit with a $42,000 repair bill after tree roots destroyed pipes underneath.
Paseo, a neighborhood staple, is hoping for some help from the community.
"We opened in 1994," says manager Cesar Landero.
The backstory:
You can't miss the sizzle or the smell of Latin and Caribbean flavors at Paseo in Fremont.
"We do everything fresh, everything homemade," Landero said.
Landero knows it well.
He's been working at the Fremont Avenue location for about a decade.
Landero has also seen a tree right outside the front door, and its roots, grow into a problem.
"It's a hard one. I don't like it, [it] gives us a lot of issues, but I love it because it gives us a good shadow in the summers," he said.
By the numbers:
Last week, the business shared it spent $42,000 on repairs after the sandwich shop's plumbing system was ruined by roots.
Customers heard about it.
"We always make sure to make a stop here," Shanon Molacavage said.
They've stopped by placing orders and trying to help.
"It keeps our neighborhood full of life and things to do, and we want to raise our kids in places where we get to eat great food from local people," she said.
Owners said with the cost of ingredients, labor, rent, and utilities today, big repairs make it tougher to stay open.
But the sandwiches and churros keep coming.
"What can I say for the customers? Thank you for giving us that support," Landero said.
The business told FOX 13 Seattle it is in the early stages of filing an insurance claim, but it's not clear how much may be covered.
It is fully open for business and Landero said they are grateful to the customers who've come by to support them as they navigate the repair bill.
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The Source: Information in this story comes from original reporting by FOX 13 Seattle reporter Dan Griffin.