The owner of a sandwich shop in the Bay Area has announced the closure of her business after facing harsh criticism over her menu prices. Some items, like a grilled cheese and a salad, were priced at $22, which drew quite a bit of mockery.
Kendra Colling, who owned The Farmer’s Wife cafe, has officially shut down both locations, including one in Point Reyes and another in Sebastopol. This closure follows reports from last year highlighting ongoing struggles.
Colling explained that the decision stemmed from a combination of the slow economy and a viral thread on Reddit, where many users ridiculed the price of her sandwiches. This backlash translated into negative reviews on platforms such as Yelp and Google.
“They called me the meanest things, beyond the level of a sandwich,” she shared in a widely circulated online discussion. “It was really hurtful and felt very personal.”
Colling emphasized that the high prices reflect the quality of the ingredients used, such as house-toasted fennel pork sausage and locally sourced ingredients like artisan cheese and sauerkraut.
She acknowledged that while she could have opted for cheaper ingredients or reduced portion sizes, doing so wouldn’t have motivated her. “That doesn’t get me out of bed in the morning,” she remarked.
Colling expressed that her brand has faced relentless attacks and her spirit has been affected. While she’s looking forward to future projects, she’s taking time to recover from this experience.
The location is set to undergo a change as it transitions to Culture Shop Cafe, run by the owners of Wild West Ferments, who plan to offer sandwiches at more accessible prices.
According to the new operators, affordability and friendliness will be central to their approach. Menu prices will be significantly lower, with most sandwiches priced between $14 and $15, while the highest priced item is a roasted pork belly baguette at $22.
