Sabrina’s Lunch in a Box Moves Into Sully's Location

Sabrina McNall always dreamed of owning her own business. She grew up in Sumner, loves downtown and the people in it. When Sabrina’s Lunch in a Box opened its doors on Monday, March 21, the owner was grinning from ear to ear.

“We were slow for breakfast, but it started to pick up a little later and has been getting busier all day,” said McNall. 

Throughout the day, friends, family and past co-workers blessed the opening with orders and kudos for Sumner’s newest restaurateur.

“Sabrina worked for me for 15 years,” said Cindy VanMeter, owner of in Sumner. VanMeter hired McNall out of high school and promoted McNall to general manager. “We miss her, but support her decision. We knew she’d do great!”

When asked why a restaurant, McNall was quick to answer.

“I love people, I love to cook and I love to talk. It just all fell into place. It is like a fairy tale. My husband was getting his hair cut at the barber around the corner, and found out that Sully’s was closing. We decided together to try and make this work. The timing seemed right.”

McNall’s husband, Brad, is supportive of his wife’s endeavors. “He helps out around the building. He works for Merlino Construction full-time, but can help in the restaurant on the weekends if I need him.”

The restaurant change occurred quickly. Many Sumner locals did not even know the prior business, , had vacated the space.

Sully’s had been doing relatively steady business below the green awnings for more than a decade.

“The family who owned the business fell on hard times,” recalls Jane Dockeray, who owns the building with her husband, Judd. The couple bought the building from Mr. Taylor (of , located upstairs from Sabrina’s), in 1971. “We tried to help them out as much as we could, but eventually, they could not afford to make it work for them."

While Dockeray was dismayed to see Sully's go, she is excited for a new business to take its place.

“We are so excited to have Sabrina here. I knew from the moment I met her, she was going to do great. She is so enthusiastic," said Dockeray. "I will help out when I can. I still work at the flooring store, but I have been helping out in this restaurant since it was a sandwich shop in the '80s."

Sabrina is hoping to offer all the comforts of an old-time deli, like homemade soups and sandwiches “with lots of meat,” boasts McNall.

“She wants to be out interacting with the customers,” said Dockeray. “That is good business sense.”

McNall should know good tricks for a successful business, as she holds a degree in business management. Part of that success comes from flexibility. “I will be adding things to the menu as I go,” said McNall. "We plan on having delivery at some point. We have a special location, with the only salad bar in Sumner, besides and homemade soup.”

By adding a quick-stop breakfast menu, McNall hopes to see locals pop in on the way to work as well. “We have coffee, breakfast sandwiches, muffin tops and snack bars.” Sabrina's will also serve boxed lunch, so customers can stop in and take care of two meals at once.

Sabrina’s Lunch in a Box is located just off of Main Street at 909 Alder Ave. and is open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.