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Grabbing A Slice Of Brandon

Photo by Derek Maul

Colon 'Junior' Santana, left, opened Franks & Subs at 1248 E. Brandon Blvd., Brandon, in September 2008. With him in the front row, from left to right, are his children, Estrella, Amanda and Colon III. DJ, an employee, joins the family in running the business.

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By DEREK MAUL Tribune correspondent

The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 14, 2009

BRANDON - When Colon "Junior" Santana opened Franks & Subs at 1248 E. Brandon Blvd., he intended to add a large slice of New York to the smorgasbord of Brandon restaurants.

The eatery, open since September, is a family business in the best tradition.

"It's the New York style," he said. "We shave the meat - once you bite it, you don't have to fight with it."

Born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., Santana went to work in his father's deli not long after he enrolled in school.

"I've been making sandwiches since I was seven," he said. "My father owned a deli and grocery in New York."

He graduated from Brooklyn's Thomas Jefferson High School in 1989, worked hard, and by the time he was 24 purchased a liquor store.

"I took a few courses here and there," he said. "But I learned business from my father. My store was very successful.

"But my business was in the front of the store, and the house was in the back. It was good - but living in the city made it harder for the kids."

Florida looked like the perfect solution.

"I wanted to give my kids a chance at better living, so we moved here," he said. "Brandon is a real change of life for my family. Here, you can go outside, you can play. There's more liberty."

Santana moved to Brandon in 2007, worked seasonal loading and unloading with United Parcel Service, then rented a gas station on Hillsborough Avenue in 2008.

"But there are more headaches than money in gas," he said.

He purchased the former Quiznos sub shop in front of Wal-Mart on State Road 60 and decided to offer a menu New Yorkers miss when they move south.

"Franks and subs," he said. "The economy may be hard, but obviously, everybody's still got to eat. I make the things people crave for, what they used to get in New York. We took the chance. It's a big investment for us."

The goal is a family atmosphere.

"Everyone that comes in enjoys the food. We treat them like our family. A little love and respect, and we tend to satisfy the taste buds. But we're selling Cuban sandwiches the most, with the fresh pulled pork."

Santana is confident business will pick up when people experience the food and pass the word.

"But the economy is bad, so everybody tries to pinch their penny. Right now, the state of Florida is just hard. But we're working hard, and we're trying to make it."

With three daughters enrolled at Newsome High School and his son at Randall Middle School, the New York transplants are deeply invested in the area.

"Truthfully, I don't miss New York," Santana said. "I miss my friends and family, but not New York. The business is like my home, and my friends are the people who come in. It's a family business. The kids all work here. Come to the friendly family environment. You will feel like you're at home."

Santana said he's glad he took the risk and launched the business.

"My main concern is taking care of the customers," he said, "treating them good, like family, giving them something they haven't had before."

MEET COLON "JUNIOR" SANTANA

OWNER: Franks & Subs

WHERE: 1248 E. Brandon Blvd., Brandon

BORN: Brooklyn, N.Y., 1970

EDUCATION: Thomas Jefferson High School, Brooklyn, N.Y., 1989

MARRIED: Teresa Benevides of Ecuador, 1990

CHILDREN: Anna, 17; Estrella, 16; Amanda, 15; Colon III, 13

MOVED TO BRANDON: 2007

HOURS: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday

CALL: (813) 685-8583

Derek Maul can be reached at derekmaul@gmail.com.

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