Ancaster's Sammy's Family Restaurant to move into new location this fall

When some Ancaster residents discovered their familiar and cosy Sammy's Family Restaurant was planning to relocate after happily serving breakfast and lunch to eager customers for many years on Cameron Drive, they were angry.

Someone came in upset, like I was doing it for fun," said co-owner Jaced Kaleci. But we are getting pushed out. I don't want to do it, but it's what I have to do."

Prior to the pandemic, Kaleci, 27, was planning to renovate the restaurant, adding a few tables and chairs, and sprucing it up. But then COVID-19 hit and Kaleci found himself using up his rainy day" fund to keep operating. He credits that prudent financial decision, plus generous customers, for keeping him in business.

The tips were insane," he said. They kept saying, we don't want you to shut down.' They were buying breakfast and lunches, which was amazing. But that is Ancaster."

Since COVID-19 has waned, the building owner is now looking at plans to redevelop the location, as well as other nearby properties. Kaleci and his parents, Alex and Anna, have owned the restaurant for 15 years. Before that, Sammy's was around for 25 years since 1988. It was previously a butcher shop.

While Sammy's isn't closing, Kaleci confirmed, he has signed a lease to take over the former Payless Shoe Source location on Wilson Street West. He is scheduled to move Oct. 1.

I'm upset personally," he said. Just staying here, a renovation would have been a lot cheaper and I would have enjoyed my life a little bit more, not going through the stress. This place is old, though; it needs some love."

Still, there will be advantages at the new location. The square footage will slightly increase from about 2,500 square feet to about 2,700 square feet. There will be new furniture, including booths and there will be improved efficiencies.

But more importantly, Kaleci said the new location will still be Sammy's. He will move to the new restaurant, those items customers have come to associate with Sammy's such as the chalkboard sign above the register, which customers see when they first enter the establishment.

There will also be a larger parking area at the new location, a particular issue for Sammy's on Cameron Drive, he said. During Mother's Day or Father's Day, there were times when customers just couldn't find a spot for their vehicles.

There were also episodes when customers had to wait up to two hours for a table, which Kaleci has worked hard to reduce to about 20 minutes during peak periods. I've made it super-efficient," he said.

Kaleci will have the patio at Sammy's open during the summer, and expects to open a patio at the new Sammy's that is something nice" for people to enjoy. I'm definitely not cheaping out," he said.

Kaleci acknowledges he serves good food, and provides great service, which Ancaster residents have come to appreciate and rely upon. Ancaster is an affluent area. They like good-quality food and that personal touch," he said.

Since operating the restaurant, Kaleci has become part of the community. He lives in the area, regularly meets and greets customers, and has plans to help charity groups. I want to help out," Kaleci said, who recently became engaged. I'm not greedy. I want to give back to the community."

Kaleci projects he will lose about 20 per cent of his business when he moves to the plaza. But hopes after a year, business will return.

I want to make people feel comfortable here," said Kaleci. This is not another franchise. This will be Sammy's. It will be a bit different. But as long as the food and service is good, we will be fine. It's just trying to convince people, it is a good move."