Local Shopkeeper – Jim and Rick from Monty’s Sandwich Shop

By James Hutton on May 7, 2012 in People

Business has been booming for James Birchall and Rick Kelly of Monty’s Sandwich Shop ever since they opened last July…

Name | Monty’s Sandwich Shop
Address | 52 Spring Street, Bondi Junction
Phone | 0437 455 177
Web | montyssandwichshop.com.au

Tell us about Monty’s…

Monty’s is a gourmet sandwich shop in Bondi Junction offering made-to-order sandwiches on freshly baked bread. We pride ourselves on the quality of our product and use only fresh ingredients sourced locally. The full range of breads are baked in-house every morning and the meats are roasted by our chef, who also makes all of his own mayonnaises, tapenades, pestos and various other sauces.

How long have you had the shop?

We opened on July 18, 2011, so it’s been nine months now.

What made you decide to open it?

We worked together in a restaurant in Bondi several years ago. After work we’d be enjoying a hard earned staff beer and discussing the lack of good sandwich shops in Sydney. In the U.K. sandwich shops are everywhere, like Thai restaurants are here, and we felt there was room in the market for something new. After all, everybody loves a good sanga.

What were you doing before you opened the shop?

Working for someone else, and it sucked. We’re both hospitality lifers.

What would you do if you sold up?

We’re not kids anymore but we’re too young to retire. I’m sure we’d have another crack at something else and roll the dice again.

How did you come up with the name?

We took the name from the man accredited with the invention of the sandwich. Born in 1718, John Montagu was the first admiral of the British Navy, the fourth Earl of Sandwich and a keen gambler. Legend has it that during a long game of cards Montagu got hungry and demanded his man servant bring him his meat sliced and in between two pieces of bread so he could eat with one hand and hold his cards with the other.

What’s the best thing about owning Monty’s?

Nothing beats working for yourself, it’s fantastic. We’re also proud to be part of the community in Bondi Junction. We’re locals now and that’s nice.

Does anything about Monty’s piss you off?

We’ve had a few problems with one or two neighbours but that’s behind us now and we made our peace and moved on.

What’s your medium- to long-term plan for the business?

It’s been an incredible start for us and we’re so busy, but know that it is just that: the start. We hope to expand and open one or two more shops possibly in the city but for the moment that’s irrelevant. We need to keep focused on our current operation for now and continue to drive it forward. And we will.