Welcome Home: Renee's Sandwich Shop

Meet Renee Kaplansky & Theo Agathos, the owners of Renee’s Sandwich Shop. Located at 1018 Dundas Street, this sandwich shop is bringing handcrafted sandwiches and classic customer service to Old East Village. “We just wanted to create a space that wasn't pretentious, everyone could walk in and feel like they're coming home, where people do know your name, people do remember your orders, and where amazing customer service meets amazing food,” Kaplansky says. 

Both Kaplansky and Agathos have deep ties to the Old East Village and the wider city of London. Kaplansky’s grandmother owned a bulk retail business for two decades where Mystic Wisdom Tea and Book Shop is currently located, and Agathos’ grandfather was Jimmy Agathos, the owner of Huron House Restaurant and Jimmy's Corner for over 50 years. Even now, two of the employees at Renee’s formerly worked at Huron House. “I stayed out of (restaurants) for most of my life, then found my way back in somehow, just pulled me back in” Agathos says.

When you walk through the doors at Renee’s, it feels like home. The walls are painted a dark green, accented with light coloured stain on the countertops throughout the shop, and a large “map” of OEV greets you at the front door, complete with a sandwich marking the shop’s location.. “You walk in and you feel it's classy, but not pretentious,” says Kaplansky. “That was really important for us, that anybody can come in and feel like they belong here, no matter what their economic background is.” A highlight are small dioramas and figures placed throughout, with a favourite being the “gnome home” by the register.

One of the main selling points for Renee’s is that nearly everything the store uses is made in house, from the sauces to the bread. “We try not to bring in ready made products,anything that we can make in house, we do,” Agathos says. Kaplansky adds onto that, saying that “we use good quality ingredients that you can taste in our bread, and I think that’s what sets us apart from everyone else.” Renee’s menu is varied, but not overwhelming, with something for everyone. Some favourites of the BIA staff are the Hot Honey Buffalo and the Turkey Brie!

Renee’s has been open for less than a year, but already has become a staple in OEV. Go in at lunch time, and you’ll see the restaurant packed with hungry folks waiting for lunch. “Old East Village is amazing for wanting small business and showing up to support them,” Kaplansky says. “Since we got that initial support, it has grown to all of London and beyond. We have people coming from Hamilton, St. Mary’s, Stratford, so it started small, then word spread!”

Renee’s Sandwich Shop is open Monday to Saturday from 11 am to 4 pm. 

📍 1018 Dundas Street

☎️ (519) 636-8832

🌐 https://www.reneesfortheday.ca/