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Photos by Andy Atkinson Vera Campfield, who has owned the Yellow Submarine for 19 years, still enjoys the pace -- and the people. Sandwiched into downtown Yellow Sub menu even lists a PB&J By VICKI GUARINO When Vera Campfield's husband got a layoff notice from the mill, the family started looking for something to tide them over until the timber economy improved. That was 19 years ago. The work that was supposed to be temporary is a small but bustling Medford lunch spot -- the Yellow Submarine. The tiny sandwich shop at the south end of downtown whips out freshly made hot and cold sandwiches by the score six days a week. Besides the turkey subs, hoagies and meatball sandwiches, the Yellow Submarine no doubt is one of the few places where you'll find peanut butter and jelly on the menu. It's popular, too. Don Henshaw of Butte Falls tears into a turkey sandwich. "We have one man who comes in and that's what he orders, peanut butter and jelly," Campfield says. "It was on the menu when we bought the place." When Campfield and her husband, Carl, took over the Yellow Submarine they had no restaurant experience -- they hadn't even eaten there. "I had heard the sandwiches were good," Campfield recalls. Her work background was in retail stores and packing houses. "You get to the point you want to be your own boss," she says. At the sandwich shop, Campfield decided to try to follow the previous owner's ways -- right down to the menu and recipes. Over the years, she has seen no reason to change. Meanwhile, the Yellow Submarine has cultivated a clientele of regulars. Many, like the man who is fond of the peanut butter and jelly, order the same sandwich time after time. One aspect of the shop, however, has changed dramatically -- volume. "This place was practically nothing when we took over," Campfield says. Some days barely paid the bills. So she placed a two-for-one voucher in a coupon book that was part of a high school fund-raiser. That is the only time she has ever advertised the shop. "Our sandwiches pretty much sell themselves." Besides, she adds, "I don't want it to get so big I can't take care of it." Business has gone through a few ups and downs. Coincidentally, the last time a major decline occurred was during the Persian Gulf War. "That kind of scared people, I think," she says. The biggest change in the business has been an ever-increasing flow of customers since Rogue Community College opened its downtown campus. "Business just got better and better. Right now it is about as good as it has ever been." Besides the food, Campfield credits her employees' friendliness for the shop's success. She puts an emphasis on building a rapport with customers and employees. Many on the staff have been there for several years. The crew celebrates every birthday with cake and gifts. "We're like a family here," she says. Although the pace is fast, Campfield she hasn't tired of the rigorous schedule. "It's hard work, but it's fun. And it has been good for us." Today's Business Index Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA