Finches Sandwiches and Sundries closes Thunderbolt location, seeks new home

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - A Thunderbolt sandwich shop that opened during the height of the pandemic is now fighting to survive.

Finches Sandwiches and Sundries closed its doors Thursday. The owners told us they are not ready to walk away.

A Dream Built From the Ground Up

Owners Rebecca Gawly and Jamie Pleta opened Finches in December 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The fast-casual concept quickly grew into one of Thunderbolt’s most cherished gathering spots, Gawley said.

Over five years, the two owners poured more than $290,000 into rent and $160,000 into improvements at the converted gas station on Mechanics Avenue, with a long-term plan to purchase the building.

The Deal That Fell Apart

Since last year, Gawley and Pleta had been negotiating to purchase the property. Their efforts were blocked because the building is a former gas station, Gawley said.

Lenders required a Phase 1 environmental study before approving a loan. That study flagged the need for further research, stalling the financing process and pushing the owners into a cash-buyers-only pool.

“It wasn’t because of our business model or because of us or our credit — it literally was a property issue,” Gawley said.

Potential environmental cleanup costs were estimated at up to half a million dollars.

“All of our advisors, all of our friends and family sat us down and said, ‘Girls, you’ve worked too hard to lose it all because of some unknown environmental status here,’” she said.

When the deal could not come together, the landlord terminated their lease and option to purchase, saying he is looking for a cash-only buyer.

The owners are also losing much of the equipment they purchased and installed. Pleta had funded part of the original buildout using money left to her by her late mother.

“For us to be losing at that level, I think is what makes the heartbreak that much greater for us,” Gawley said.

The Community Responds

After Gawley and Pleta announced their closure, the outpouring from the community convinced them to keep fighting. They have launched a GoFundMe campaign to secure a new location, replace lost equipment and retain their staff.

“We’re saying: if you guys want to keep us, we’re going to need some help,” Gawley said.

For regular customer Chris Stanley, the closure stings, but the momentum gives him hope.

“It definitely stings a little, but I am hopeful and excited for the momentum the kickstarter has gotten,” Stanley said.

“Small businesses like this, for at least locals, are what really make Savannah.”

What Comes Next

Finding a new location will not happen overnight. Gawley estimates it could take up to a year. They hope to stay in Thunderbolt, but say available spaces there are limited.

Their GoFundMe describes the mission simply: “We are not done. We are just getting started.”