B-CC students have witnessed a wide range of open lunch options come and go over the years. Nabi’s Lunch Box, perhaps better known as “Nabi’s Deli,” has built a reputation as one of the area’s most reliable and long-standing lunch spots. Its diverse menu of sandwiches, subs, and ever-evolving hot bar has earned a loyal following among students and staff, alike. After its multi-decade run in the Bethesda Crossing office complex, Nabi’s Lunch Box is set to close its doors on April 18.
Mike and Sun Yeun, aged 72 and 67 respectively, are the Korean couple who have co-owned the deli for more than a decade. “I’ve been here thirteen years,” Mike Yeun said. “During [those] thirteen years, B-CC High School helped me out a lot.” He added, “Yeah, sometimes, very seldom, kids will try to run out [with food], but it’s not a big issue. A lot of children come and help me out with my business. Very thanks for that!”
The Yeuns’ ownership of Nabi’s Lunch Box has lent itself to a menu unique among eateries in the Bethesda area. “So, you know we have 80-some different sandwiches, hot food, salad bar, lotta different things,” Mike Yeun said. “We made a special menu – like, you know, bulgogi things, spring veggie mix things, all those teriyaki things. That’s only our menu. Nobody else has it.” Sure enough, fan favorites of Nabi’s regulars seem to be the hot bar — which frequently features spring vegetables and teriyaki chicken — and the exclusive Bulgogi Sub.
Prior to their time with the deli, both Yeuns had plenty of experience in the food industry. “I used to work for seven days a week, working at the grocery market,” Mike recalled. “Ten years working at the supermarket. My wife worked in some- body else’s carry out deli … She has a lot of experience [from] that. I had a business in D.C. for another 20 years, so I know lots about the food.” He clarified that Nabi’s Lunch Box was not originally theirs. “I purchased [the deli] from somebody else.”
Indeed, the deli has seen its fair share of owners over the past. According to Bethesda Magazine in 2010, “There’s no Nabi – she was the daughter of the previous owner, and, before that, the Epicure Deli operated in the space for nearly two decades.” At the time, James and Susan Hong had been running the business since 2005, and the Yeuns have been running it ever since.
By the end of this month, however, Nabi’s Lunch Box will close its doors for good, with no hope of finding a new buyer. When Mike and Sun first bought the deli from the Hongs in 2012, they paid nearly $400,000. “And then now, without selling it, I’m leaving,” Mike said.
The biggest reasons for the closure, Mike said, are the long- term effects of Covid-19. “Problem is during [the] pandemic, it wasn’t very good, you know? No customers! People [don’t] come to work. So we’ve been paying for lots of overhead, and we don’t have enough customers. Some companies [work a] couple days a week – two days a week, three
days a week. Not enough [to] … pay for all over- head,” he explained.
He explained that because Nabi’s isn’t open on weekends—aside from students at B-CC, its biggest clientele is the office workers of the Bethesda Crossing buildings who are evidently not around during the weekends—the deli operates only about 21 days a month. This, combined with short business hours and rising food costs in many of the deli’s staples, has made it almost impossible for the Yeuns to afford the nearly $10,000 in monthly rent and justify staying open.
“Normally, if I’m retiring, I have to sell [the] business to someone,” Mike said, before continuing with a laugh,“This time, nobody wants it.”The other big reason for Nabi’s closure, Mike said, is simply age. “What should I do? [I’m] 72 years old. I purchase all my inventory myself trying to save money. So I’m working six days a week – Monday through Friday open business, Saturday I [go] to Costco, collecting my supplies for [the] next week. I’m supposed to be [an] owner, not that much [of a] worker. I have to figure it all out myself – cleaning up, throwing away trash, making food … My wife said, pain everywhere! I’m too old! That’s why we are trying to retire. Not easy [to] make somebody else’s food all day long. Now, time to leave. I need my free time.” For their retirement, the Yeuns (who have been married for over 46 years) have quite a few plans. “Go hiking, play tennis, go [on a] trip … a lot of things,” Mike said. They plan to spend more time with their extended family — “I have seven brothers and sisters [who] live in this area!” — as well as their two sons.
Students can show Nabi’s Lunch Box their love and support from the B-CC community before it closes down. “I’ll miss you all!” Mike said. “Feeling bad. Yeah, I’m gonna miss all [the] students.”
