Harvey community rallies around beloved family-owned sub shop after break-in forces them to close

HARVEY, Ill. (WLS) -- The owners of a beloved sub shop have been at their south suburban location for decades.

And after a break-in caused thousands of dollars' worth of damage, they say they have no choice but to close. But their community is rallying around them to make sure this Harvey staple stays there.

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"Everyone running to help me, and talk to me, and hug me, and support me any way they could do," said Pacific Submarine owner Nariman Ayed.

Ayed, a stroke survivor, says she left a doctor's appointment on Monday and found her shop off 159th Street in mayhem.

The front door had been smashed with glass everywhere, and the safe and cash register had been stolen.

"When you come in to open your door, you know, and you come and see that happened to you, makes you feel sad," Ayed said.

Ayed and her husband are forced to close their business, for now, and they are unsure of what is next.

"I want to see again this place prosper. I want this place to last, because this is their dream, you know? I'm saying, they came here. What a dream. And this is it right here," said Annette Smith, the owners' friend and longtime customer.

Now, community, county and local leaders are coming together around a place, they say, is a community cornerstone.

"This is a this is a city staple. This is where the kids grow up. This is where I, myself and my children have grown up. We know this place. We honor this place," said Cook County Commissioner Dr. Kisha McCaskill, who is a Harvey resident.

"For those who don't have anything to eat, Pacific Subs has opened up their door time and time again to feed the homeless, to just nurture and just really be an anchor of support," said 2nd Ward Ald. Colby Chapman.

There is an online fundraiser set up for the couple to help them rebuild and reopen.

Harvey police say they are reviewing surveillance video in this area and will be interviewing witnesses, as this case is still under investigation.