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Since October 2009, Stax has been serving Moscow with homemade soups and sandwiches. In the morning, the shop smells like freshly baked bread. This bread, baked in-house daily, is somewhat unique, according to Stax Manager Andy Severson.
“One thing that really sets us apart is we make all our bread in-house completely from scratch and with locally sourced flours and no dairy,” Severson said. “Including our new soft pretzels. And as you might guess from our name, you’ll quickly find at Stax you aren’t ever going to leave hungry. Our portions are more robust than most other deli-style sandwich shops.”
The employees of Stax prides themselves on the freshness and local sourcing of their breads, cheeses and meats. Lettuce wraps are the gluten free option of choice. Stax also offers homemade soft pretzels and a selection of domestic and regional beer, cider and seltzer.
“We have a handful of original and very popular items; people love our grilled sandwiches most,” Severson said. “Our Vandal Club is one that people always tell their friends to try, but the cult favorite is the Reuben. It’s probably one of the better Reubens you are likely to find, and we serve it year round. People also love our house sauces, the Stax Horseradish Sauce and our Cranberry Cream Cheese spread.”
Founder of Stax Jason Tinney said the idea for the business came to him when his wife, Jen, had their youngest child. At the time, she had been manager of The Breakfast Club, but the pair were deciding on a career change. They drove by a building which had recently become vacant, made an appointment to look at it and created their business plan.
Tinney has many memories of the early days of the chain, including his first customers, but one stands out most to him.
“Mike Iupati, the lineman for the (UI) football team, now a professional still playing for the Seahawks, he would come in and order two of our Fat Tinney’s, which is our biggest sandwich,” Tinney said. “It’s almost a pound of meat. He would come in and that was always cool because now he’s famous and an NFL football player. Back then he was just Mike.”
Severson said the business is still working through the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. Sales at Stax went down sharply, among other challenges. However, Severson said he’s enjoyed the opportunity to evaluate how the shop operates and serves its customers.
“Make no mistake, we have absolutely been held up and brought together by this community,” Steverson said. “It would be a misuse not to express my deep gratitude to the people of Moscow for thinking local and even trying new local places they may have never eaten at before.”
Located at the corner of Asbury and Sixth street in downtown Moscow, Stax is near the north east corner of the University of Idaho campus. The business has sister locations in McCall and Lewiston.
The Moscow Stax is open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.
Stevie Carr can be reached at [email protected]