"If I don't do it, who will?" said Roosevelt Tillman, a long time Grand Rapids resident who grew up in the same neighborhood where he is now the owner of Sandwiches, Etc. at 817 Franklin, S.E.



"I want to give back something to the community," Tillman conveyed, "If we don't reinvest in the inner city then we'll all pay the price." The high price of decay, broken homes, crime, and poverty are just a sample of what Tillman means when inner cities are left with no hope and no one who cares.

But Tillman's philosophies of an inner city re-birth go beyond racial and geographical borderlines, he maintains that without a well balanced inner city, the suburbs will eventually decline. The large task of helping inner cities begins with each individual home and business owner. "Half of the problem," Tillman insisted, "is just the way our streets look." Boarded up buildings, overgrown weed ridden lots, and a no caring appearance, tour shangrila make it very difficult to attract investors to inner city communities.

Tillman is a young, upwardly mobile, multi-business owner and multi-award recipient who have been recognized for his outstanding achievements in the areas of education, military, and commerce. After graduating from Ottawa Hills High School in 1984 he enlisted in the U.S. Army delayed entry program.

In 1987 he was honorably discharged and enrolled at Western Michigan University to study accounting. At the same time he attended Kalamazoo Community College and was accepted to the Michigan Military Academy Officers Basic Course where he graduated in the top 10 percent of his class. Before heading off on his own, Tillman earned an associate of arts degree and worked in accounting for Miller-Davis Builders from 1988 to 1989.



Market research and several feasibility studies allowed Tillman to make the difficult decision to work for himself. He spearheads Construction Employment Services Corporation which provided him with enough capital to open up the inner city sandwich Shoppe.

This is no ordinary sandwich Shoppe. The menu boasts an enormous selection of fresh "health conscious" deli meats including: turkey, chicken, lean roast beef, corn beef, pastrami, salami, bologna, ham, and many different types of cheeses. Hot soup and crisp salads add the perfect appetizer to a hearty submarine sandwich fit for a king.

Sandwiches Etc. is a fantastic luncheon resource for busy hungry intercity business people who don't have time to head up to Michigan or down to 28th Street. Although, Sandwiches Etc. will be closed during the winter season. Tillman is hoping to add a new parking lot and an increased serving area by next spring. For specific store hours call 245-2008.

Taking a chance and helping the community is what drives Tillman. "Many think it is crazy to invest here (in the inner city)," said Tillman. "It is up to all of us to make our community the best it can be." It is quite clear that he is not content to remain on the sidelines and will do what it takes to help make the community a better place to live and work. It will only be a matter of months before Tillman's dream begins to blossom again.












Roosevelt Tillman is a young, upwardly mobile, multi-business owner and multi-award recipient who have been recognized for his outstanding achievements in the areas of education, military, and commerce. After graduating from Ottawa Hills High School in 1984 he enlisted in the U.S. Army delayed entry program. From The Grand Rapids Press Roosevelt Tillman