Whiffer’s Sandwiches to close after 42 years
Editor’s note: The “garage sale” at Whiffer’s Sandwiches has been postponed “for a few weeks” because of construction on Bailey Street, according to a Facebook post June 5.
June 4, 2020
Whiffer’s Sandwiches is closing after 42 years.
Owner Whiffer Randall, who turned 86 this year, announced on Facebook that she isn’t reopening the restaurant at 1133 N. Minnesota Ave. Randall has been closing up the shop over the winter for the past few years.
“Friends and fans! It has been a wonderful 42 years, and I would not trade a moment! I am announcing my well-earned retirement! Whiffer’s Sandwiches will not be reopening. I treasure all the memories, laughter, sandwiches and friends I have made over the years!”
“It’s bittersweet, but it’s time for Mother to enjoy retirement,” said daughter Jeannie Randall, who has worked on and off at the restaurant since just after it opened and then joined her mom full time in 2018.
“It was a combination of things,” Jeannie said of the decision to close. “The pandemic and wanting got respect the restrictions that were in place at the time she would have reopened, and the city is doing construction on Bailey. The street where you enter the parking lot is torn up, and the work is anticipated to last most of summer.”
Randall earned a loyal following on the North End, serving her signature Whifferdils, other sandwiches, soups and giant homemade desserts.
Whiffer’s was open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays, and in the afternoon, friends would gather with Randall to play cards in the dining room.
Randall isn’t retiring to sit in a chair in her living room.
“Mom is the most active retired person,” her daughter said. “She runs circles around my social life. She keeps her life busy with friends, playing cards, mahjong, golf, bowling. It was just kind of a combination of everything. She decided that it was time. She said, ‘I’ve had a great time.’ It’s time to just enjoy all the leisure activities that she enjoys.”
Customers will have a chance to say goodbye. Whiffer’s Sandwiches is having a “garage sale/deli shop” sale June 13.
“If you want to gather a little peace of nostalgia, everything must go,” Randall said in her Facebook post. “Come up to purchase a pig statue or restaurant equipment or kitschy spool table or just for a hug and some laughter. More details to follow. Thanks to Sioux Falls for everything.”
Because the restaurant has been closed for months, Jeannie said they considered serving sandwiches one last time.
“We’ve talked about it. She’s decided she doesn’t’ want to do that.” It’s possible there will be cookies or brownies at the sale, but they haven’t made a final decision. Whiffer made desserts from scratch every morning, using her mother’s recipes that came from Whiffer’s grandparents’ bakery in Madison.
Jeannie said she knew she wouldn’t take over the business.
“Once Whiffer’s not there, it wouldn’t be Whiffer’s. She is the essence of that restaurant. Those are shoes that nobody but her can fill.”
