Stealing a line from a James Bond movie theme song, “Nobody does it better; better than all the rest. Nobody does it half as good as her, cause baby she’s the best.” It is official. Jacqueline Lumsden, owner of Sub Arena Sandwich Shop was recently given a high honor.
“We were given the Gallivant’s Choice, the People’s Choice for Iowa’s Favorite Best Between Breads,” Lumsden said. “That’s saying a lot and I am very humble. Believe me.”
According to Lumsden, the company giving the award, the Iowa Gallivant, a blogger in Iowa City, made its choice of number one locations by requesting suggestions.
“I was told I received more suggestions than anyone else,” Lumsden said. “I was so honored.”
Lumsden said there is a second award, this one being the Best Sandwich.
Sub Arena has been a long time business in Fort Madison.
“We have been around for just about two weeks over 34 years,” Lumsden said. The name came from her husband’s imagination. It was a way to let people know what they sold without sounding like everyone else.
Like almost everyone Lumsden said there will always be competition, but Sub Arena has the edge.
“We do everything fresh here every day,” Lumsden said. “Our bread is baked fresh every day.”
Lumsden said she is aware of the sandwich chain.
“They do things differently than us and they have different hours,” Lumsden said. “I can’t say much more since I have never eaten there.”
Lumsden said she has two things that will keep her business up and running for ages.
“The first is I have very loyal customers,” Lumsden said. “I have watched generations come through these doors.”
Then there is the other side of the business.
“Without my workers this would be just another sandwich shop,” Lumsden said. “My girls make me look good.”
