Salt Lake City-based sandwich shop Even Stevens Sandwiches is opening its first Tucson location at 118 S. 5th Ave. Units 178 & 180 on May 17. The entrance is a few feet west of Charro Steak on Broadway Boulevard.
In a business model comparable to TOMS Shoes, Even Stevens donates funds from sandwich sales to a local non-profit partner for each sandwich sold. It’s an interesting business model and a bit more complex than a simple sandwich donated for each sold. More information can be found on the Even Stevens FAQ page.
For the Tucson location, sales will benefit the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona, Tucson Neighborhood Food Pantry, Interfaith Community Services, and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Arizona.
While the charity model already differs from most sandwich shops, the menu is also eccentric. Standards sandwiches such as turkey and Reuben are available, but most of the items have a gourmet spin.
Even Stevens labels itself as “anti-cookie cutter,” so they keep their locations unique from each other. The Tucson location features vintage eclectic design and custom mural work of the original showroom by Tucson artist Joe Pagac.
For more information, visit evenstevens.com.
(May 11, 2017: opening date edited from May 10 to May 17.)