New Mattawa business a dream born in Chicago

MATTAWA — A new sandwich shop, Emilia’s Subs, opened at 610 Government Way on Feb. 1, and so did a new world for Magaly Vasquez.

Magaly had been a stay-at-home mom until that date. With both of her daughters in school, she was able to venture out.

While this shop is new and relatively unknown, the hopes of the new owners are not. To David and Magaly Vasquez, the dream of owning their own business and the dream of doing something they love is long held.

David and Magaly grew up in Mexico, but neither had an idea the other existed. David is from Tijuana in the Baja peninsula, and Magaly is from the state of Guerrero, far to the south.

Both of the Vasquezes moved to Chicago with their respective families in the early 2000s. They met in that city in 2004. They’ve been together ever since.

While living in Chicago the pair worked many different jobs. One of those was cleaning a restaurant at which David also made sub sandwiches.

Both enjoyed this type of sandwiches and decided they wanted to own their own sandwich shop someday. It was with this plan in mind that they began to save money.

“It has always been our plan to own our own business.” Magaly said. “We wanted to share our love of the sub sandwich.”

In 2008 the pair moved to Mattawa because David wanted to be closer to a brother and cousins who lived in the area. Just a year later, in 2009, David’s mother passed away and his father moved in with the Vasquezes, who had just welcomed their first daughter – Emilia – that same year.

Although the Vasquezes still maintained their dream of owning a business and continued to save money for that venture, they also made plans to meet their family needs.

The Vasquezes agreed that Magaly would stay home to help with David’s father and raise their daughter, who would later be joined by a sister, Victoria. David would work.

Once both of the two girls were in school, the Vasquezes decided it was time to bring their dream out of mothballs. They found a location at 610 Government Way, directly across the street from the Wahluke Family Medical Clinic. Because David already had a full-time job, it was decided that Magaly would run the sandwich shop.

“We were both scared of what could happen until a friend convinced us to stop being scared.” Magaly said.

Besides, the Vasquezes didn’t throw all of their eggs into one basket. David continues to work for a haystack tarping company. He’s helping Magaly get started during this slow time of the year for tarping.

Because family is important to the Vasquezes, they always knew they would name the shop after one of their daughters. Because Emilia was the oldest, her name was chosen.

But Victoria was not to be left out. Her parents named a salad after her. The “Vicki Salad” includes ham, cheese, and olives.

While the current menu showcases sub sandwiches, salads, fresh fruit and coffee, there are plans to add Mexican fare to the menu in the coming months.

“I want to offer two dishes that would change every day.” Magaly said.

Emilia’s is open every day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. but even with those long hours, Magaly still makes time to check in with her father-in-law. She hopes to fix up a room in the shop for him to spend time there during business hours.

Magaly noted Emilia’s is a family business, and even the shop’s namesake pitches in.

“Emilia helps me out a lot in the kitchen.” Magaly said. “She does what she can and is a hard worker.”