A 20-year-old entrepreneur is taking over the former DJ’s Clam Shack site in downtown Stillwater, with plans to turn it into a quick-service shop called E’s Gourmet Sandwiches. The roughly 1,500-square-foot space in a historic Myrtle Street building is being retooled for a grab-and-go operation, backed in part by a small-business loan and aiming for a May opening that would add another lunchtime choice along the river town’s busy tourist strip.
Founder, financing and timeline
According to the Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal, the 20-year-old founder, who has not been publicly named, has secured an SBA-backed loan to help cover the conversion of the historic space into E’s Gourmet Sandwiches. The plan focuses squarely on quick service and grab-and-go orders rather than full-service dining, a setup that fits the compact footprint and tourist-heavy corridor. The founder is targeting a May opening, assuming the buildout, inspections and staffing come together on schedule.
Space's recent history
The building most recently housed DJ’s Clam Shack, which opened in October 2024 in downtown Stillwater, Bring Me The News reported. DJ’s Clam Shack lists the Stillwater spot on Myrtle Street and shows the block where the new sandwich shop is set to move in.
Small-business angle
SBA loan programs are a common tool for first-time restaurateurs who need help buying, renovating or improving property and covering early working capital, the U.S. Small Business Administration notes. For a young owner taking on a historic downtown buildout, that kind of backing can make the difference between sitting on a lease for months and actually opening the doors.
What to watch next
The Business Journal reports that the founder’s goal is to welcome customers by May. Whether that timeline sticks will hinge on city permitting, contractor availability and hiring. We’ll be watching permit filings and any updates from the entrepreneur as E’s Gourmet Sandwiches moves through the buildout phase toward its debut on Myrtle Street.
