For the first time in a decade, K Sandwiches -- a staple of the Linda Vista community -- wonโt be selling its popular French loaves for Thanksgiving dinner.
The business burned down in August, and the site that once held the Vietnamese sandwich shop is still covered in rubble nearly four months later.
On Thanksgiving Day, the Tran family, who owned the eatery, walked through the ruins and looked back on Aug. 4.
โItโs sad. We put so much hard work,โ said Jennifer Tran. โWe work every day, sometimes for 10 hours.โ
That night, a fire started in the back corner of the shop when an oven malfunctioned. Everyone was able to get out, but the building was a complete loss. The Trans were forced to shut it down.
Just recently, the family received the proper permits to begin cleanup. They plan to rebuild and be open for business sometime next summer or fall.
Still, they couldnโt help looking back on past years and wishing they were in the same situation.
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โLast year we would have people lined up from here to the outside of the door just waiting for our bread, and this year after the fireโฆ.โ Man Tran said, trailing off.
Despite the sad sight before them, the Trans remained positive this Thanksgiving.
โIโm still thankful for my community and all the people around here who supported us,โ said Mike Tran.
Jennifer said when they rebuild, theyโll be better than before.