For four years, Lagniappes has been a mainstay of downtown Decatur lunchtime dining.

Beginning Nov. 19, the popular sandwich shop owned by Shelly and Rod Ross will be moving to Athens. It will be located in the bar of the Rosses’ other business, Giovanni’s on the Athens Square.

“We get very little use in the bar area of Giovanni’s between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.,” said Ross. “Now, we can build on Lagniappes’ popularity in this location.”

The sandwich shop will remain open in Decatur through Nov. 17.

Lagniappes’ panini Italian grilled sandwich will also top the Athens menu along with the soups of chef Sue Enselmo Lojik. There will also be hot and cold wraps, and “huge” salads, according to Ross. Lagniappes’ panini has been named best hot sandwich for three-consecutive years in the annual Taste of Valley event in Decatur.

“Giovanni’s cooks everything from scratch, so it’s difficult to cook a very quick lunch,” said Ross. “But now people will be able to get in and get out quickly with Lagniappes.”

The name “Lagniappes” is French for “a little something extra.” Starting this week, the Rosses are advertising the slogan: “If this isn’t the best you’ve tasted, you get it free.”

“We started that with Giovanni’s and we vow to make the best food you’ve ever had or we don’t deserve to charge,” said Rod Ross.

Shelly Ross said she will maintain her catering business through Lagniappes for corporate and office clients and will continue to drive orders to Decatur and serve Limestone County.

The Giovanni’s menu will have an inserted Lagniappes menu, and diners will be able to choose from either. Lagniappes will begin serving every day at 9 a.m. and will have light breakfast dishes such as scones, muffins and breakfast sandwiches.

Gift card program

Giovanni’s manager Amie Southern announced this week they would offer gift cards that help local schools earn money.

Southern has been busily printing up the certificates. Schools or organizations such as booster clubs or cheerleaders can sell the certificates and keep 20 percent of the profit.

“Owens Elementary asked for 1,000 certificates,” she said. “They have two weeks to sell them. We make the certificates and the ledger sheets and they can keep 20 percent.”