ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. -
The long lines are back at the world famous White House Sub Shop in Atlantic City.
Hoagie lovers have been building quite an appetite after Hurricane Sandy shut the iconic sub shop down for eight weeks.
It finally reopened Thursday.
"I was craving," said one customer.
"It's great to come back home," said another. "This is home. The White House has been here forever."
Flood waters from Sandy shut the White House down back in November, causing owner Gen Basile to replace the floors, the walk-in refrigerators and other equipment, all with no help from insurance or the federal government.
"The people that put us back together were all local outfits. They were willing to work on assignment. When the check comes, they get paid," Basile explained.
The approval of a $9-billion federal aid package may help Sandy victims waiting for insurance company payouts to start rebuilding, but the White House owners and their 40 workers couldn't wait. Every day closed meant more money lost.
"Exactly, the exact figure we don't have yet," Basile told FOX 29.
"We needed to be back financially, be around our workers again. It was tough," said White House employee Rob Nistico.
Joe Schafer was grabbing lunch at the White House with a friend. He's a small business owner in Atlantic City, too. He's worried about being ready for what could be a make-or-break summer season.
"Congress is playing games with the Sandy money," he said. "We only have a short window of opportunity to get ready."
The lunch crowd here, meanwhile, said Congress better get moving on the rest of the aid package.
"I think they should be concerned about the people, not worry about the politics," customer Mike Tribulas said.
"Let it go. Get Jersey back. Get everybody back for a good summer. Bounce back," Nistico added.
