DEARBORN (WWJ) - A Dearborn community staple has served up its last sandwiches.
Lile's Ham Sandwich Shop on the corner of Michigan Avenue and Maple Street in Dearborn closed for good Friday. Many people stood in line for the final time to grab a hot ham or corned beef sandwich, a soup and some chips.
Speaking to WWJ's Ryan Marshall, shop owner Harry Lile said the community response to the closure has been, "Overwhelmingly positive. And [the community has been] coming in and thanking me, when I should be thanking them."
"I didn't realize that it would be such an outpouring of support," Lile expressed. "Really surprised and really touched. It's emotional."
Lile's parents, Jim & Ann, opened the original location in Detroit in 1961 but sold it in 1975. Harry Lile has been a part of the business his entire life.
"I went to college, did all that," Lile told Marshall. "But, finished college, came here and that's it."
Customers lined up outside the doors Friday to enjoy their last bites of a favorite eat. That included Jim, a 30-year loyal customer from Grosse Pointe, who told Ryan Marshall that Lile's had the best ham sandwich he's ever had. Others drove upwards of 40 miles to grab a final piece of history. Some said Lile's was passed down from older generations and others were sure to bring up younger ones on the famous bread and meat combinations.
Lile's Sandwich Shop customers said being in the building was nostalgic; that nothing has changed over the years, specifically the quality of the food.
The famous ham and corned beef sandwich shop was located close to the Ford Headquarters. When workers didn't immediately return to the office post-pandemic, things became tough and Lile decided to sell the building.
Lile admitted things were very good at the family-owned business for most of the last 60 years, but the closure is largely due to the shop not recovering well after the pandemic. The increase in food and supply costs as well as a lack of steady, reliable staff also played a major part in the decision.
The sandwich slinger said his age was also a reason to retire the business. In addition, Lile is looking to focus on his upcoming nuptials -- to finish one chapter and start another.
"I never wanted to get into the restaurant business," Lile admitted. "But when I did, it was honorable [to carry on the family business]."
Lile described the sandwich shop's final day as "bittersweet."
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