ROSCOE VILLAGE — Fans of Hero's Submarine Sandwich Shop have just two more days to fill their hankering for mixed cold cuts.
Members of the Arnoux family, who've operated Hero's at Addison and Western since 1963, announced via Facebook that they're passing the torch to new owners.
Wednesday will be their final day at the shop, with the new owners stepping in on Friday.
Loyal customers have been dreading the announcement since learning late last year that Hero's was for sale.
"Wow. I knew it was coming. It just got real. Thanks for those delicious subs all these years," one patron responded on Facebook.
Many expressed mixed feelings: sadness at the end of a tradition, but happiness for the Arnoux family's well-deserved retirement.
Donna Bieniek, daughter of Hero's founders David and Daisy Arnoux, previously told DNAinfo that 53 years is a long time to prop up a family business.
"We're tired," she said. "Working 365 days, 24/7 — we're done."
For the new owners, customers had a simple piece of advice: Don't try to fix what isn't broken.
One commenter summed up the feelings of many, "I hope the new owners do not change one thing on the subs that built your success. There is no sub that compares to a Heroes Sub!"
Hero's Submarine Sandwich Shop, 3600 N. Western Ave., is open 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.