Ideal's Sandwich and Grocery, a cult favorite lunch spot in Durham that has regularly attracted long lines since it opened in 2021, plans to expand its service with a new bakery this spring.
Why it matters: The new bakery, while not initially open to the public, could make waiting for one of the restaurant's signature sandwiches less of a hassle and allow it to stay open longer than two hours, the restaurant said on social media.
"The goal is to reduce or entirely get rid of our infamous line," the restaurant posted on Instagram this week.
State of play: Because of current space constrictions, Ideal's can only make 300 sandwiches every day at the moment, but a new bakery would significantly expand its ability to make the scratch-made rolls and breads it is known for.
Between the lines: That would allow it to open 9am to 5pm, serving breakfast, lunch and eventually dinner. It would also give the shop flexibility to add more items to the menu and begin a catering business.
Zoom in: The goal is to have the new bakery open in March, if everything goes to plan.
According to plans it shared online, Ideal's new bakery would be at 1005 Holloway St., about a mile north of its space on Angier Avenue.
