A Lehigh County favorite, known for bringing the community together over food, is expanding to enhance the customer experience this summer.
SMP Mini Mart, owned by the Sankari family, is opening a sister location at 1050 Schadt Ave., just across from its original store. The spot operates as both an eatery and a convenience store.
“We weren’t actively looking to expand; however, a building came up across the street for sale. I think that was a blessing, due to the fact that we need the extra space and the extra room to better the experience,” Chad Sankari told What Now Philadelphia.
The new location will continue operating under the SMP umbrella.
“They are both under the main name as SMP. One’s SMP Mini Mart—that’s what we’re known for, that’s what we’re open for, that’s what we’ll always be. That’s our DNA,” Sankari said. “We also have a food trailer. It’s the same everything, but instead of Mini Mart, it says ‘Steaks.’ The new place will just feed off that food trailer, and it’ll be called SMP Steaks.”
The name holds special significance for the Sankaris.
“S, M, and P are actually the initials of my children. Every product that goes out of this location has the initials of my children on it. There’s great pride in every item that leaves this store, and that’s what we aim for. SMP means a lot more than just a sandwich people get, it’s a family experience,” he said.
Sankari said the expansion will help reduce wait times both in-store and for deliveries. The plan is to dedicate one location to in-person dining and the other to phone and delivery orders.
“We don’t know how it’s going to be yet, but at the end of the day, no matter whether it’s the new one or the old one, the dining experience for the customer who has been by our side since the beginning will be a better experience,” Sankari said. “I look at service, I look at wait times, I look at how I can serve the customer better.”
SMP is celebrated for its acclaimed cheesesteak, served on rolls from Corropolese Italian Bakery & Deli. Even Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Cooper DeJean gave one a try.
“Cheesesteaks have been a huge hit since day one. We started off with the original Lehigh Valley-type cheesesteak. We are now into city-type cheesesteaks,” he said.
Another standout is the lineup of chicken cutlet sandwiches, including garlicky chicken parmesan, chicken bacon ranch, chicken vodka parmesan with pesto and chopped chicken Caesar.
“What’s been a big hit over the last couple of weeks is the introduction of our cutlets. They are homemade, made in-house daily. We’ve been running out almost daily,” Sankari said.
The shop also serves traditional and bone-in wings, chicken tenders, hot dogs, hamburgers and sides like french fries, onion rings and mozzarella sticks. For early-morning risers, it also offers classic breakfast sandwiches.
The new sister location is currently in the permitting stage, and Sankari aims to open it within three to four months. In the meantime, the original location will remain open.
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[This story was first reported by WFMZ.]
