SAN DIEGO — A San Diego favorite that expanded across state lines, closed one of its locations for good and it wasn’t by choice.
Loyal customers at Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza were disappointed to show up and see the restaurant that’s been at the Mission Valley location since 1997 was permanently closed.
Roger and Delia Talamantez were hoping to have a lunch date at one of their favorite restaurants.
“They are closed forever. They are not open anymore? How can that be,” said the Talamantez’s.
CBS 8 dug through the archives and was there when Sammy’s was about to open on Camino De La Reina in 1997 next to the new trolley extension.
Twenty-seven years later, Sammy’s is packing up and moving out of the Park Valley Center.
“I love their salads, I love their pizzas, my kids grew up at Sammy’s,” Laurie Coskey, Sammy’s customer.
As disappointed customers stood in the door, employees unscrewed tables and disassembled booths.
The owner, Sami Ladeki, opened the first Sammy’s in La Jolla in 1989, that location is still open including Chula Vista and Scripps Ranch locations in the county.
The other spots have been rebranded as Toasted Gastrobrunch and Sammy’s Dinner.
“It’s so sad, I’m so shocked,” said Coskey.
Sammy’s President and CFO, Angela Bulgatz, sent CBS 8 a statement:
Despite our numerous attempts to stay in this location by providing renovation ideas, updates to the Sammy’s concept, and other concept ideas for the space; Sammy’s was not invited to remain by the landlord. Luckily, we have 8 other locations in San Diego, so all employees have been invited to stay in the Sammy’s family. We’ve loved our 27 years in this location and look forward to finding a new home in Mission Valley.
CBS 8 reached out to the property manager at Sunbelt Investment Holdings for a comment and also to find out would be the new tenant but have not heard back.
“I didn’t know they were closed. I’m so shocked and disappointed,” said Talamantez.
CBS 8 learned of the closure after a loyal customer contacted the newsroom.
“I can’t believe, I’m just stunned, It’s a sad Tuesday,” said Coskey.
Sammy’s says on May 20 they announced that Memorial Day would be their last day of service and that its 30 employees were offered jobs at its 8 other locations in San Diego County.
“I am so disappointed and the staff there has always been great,” said Talamantez.
As she and Roger left, she told the staff thank you for everything they had done.
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