From kitchen to entrepreneur: 21-year-old Cecilie opens sandwich shop

Many people dream of opening their own place.

But for most, it remains just talk.

For 21-year-old Cecilie Elisabeth Laustsen, it is now becoming reality.

On Saturday, March 14 at 11:00 AM, she will open the doors to her open-faced sandwich shop, “Hos Elisabeth,” at Vesterbro 72 — with a direct view of one of Aalborg’s most iconic statues, the Bull.

“I’ve actually prayed to God for this since I was a child,” she says, laughing a little at herself — but it is clear she means it very seriously.

From Kongerslev to Vesterbro

Cecilie grew up in Kongerslev and has practically lived in a kitchen since finishing primary school.

For nearly six years she has worked in the delicatessen at Havnens Fisk in Øster Hurup, and she also has experience from a Coop delicatessen.

“I’ve been in Øster Hurup for almost six years. It’s really cozy in the summer, but I also realized that not much happens outside the season,” she explains.

So something had to change. She moved to Vestbyen, and the dream of having her own place began to feel much closer.

“I’ve always known that I wanted to open my own place.

My dad and I have joked for years about opening a hot dog stand, but it ended up being this instead,” she says.

“Food with honesty”

The shop is called “Hos Elisabeth”, named after Cecilie’s middle name, which she inherited from her grandmother.

The slogan is “Food with honesty” — and it’s not just something that sounds good on a sign.

Cecilie has spent enough time working in delicatessens to know how much food arrives vacuum-packed and half-prepared.

That’s something she wants to move away from.

“I want to make food where you can actually taste what you’re eating. Fresh ingredients and not a bunch of hidden additives,” she says.

The concept is simple and down-to-earth: good old-fashioned smørrebrød, without trying to reinvent the wheel every day.

“It doesn’t have to be fancy or innovative to be good.

It just has to be done properly,” she says.

She is also working with a butcher for the cold cuts, ensuring the quality is right from the very first layer.

Nine varieties, sliders, and small sandwiches

When you step into Hos Elisabeth, the concept will be classic and straightforward.

There will be nine different smørrebrød options on the menu.

In addition, Cecilie will make sliders and small handheld sandwiches with the same toppings, so there will be something for both the hungry lunch guest and the busy tradesperson on the go.

“There should be something you can just grab and eat if you don’t have time to sit down,” she says.

Work is already in full swing at Vesterbro, where Cecilie opens her shop on Friday.

Price-wise, she plans to stay in the lower range compared with other eateries in the area around Reberbansgade and Vesterbro.

For the opening, she is offering a strong deal:

Smørrebrød for 25 kroner each — or two for 40 kroner.

Plans to expand the concept

With the address Vesterbro 72, Cecilie is opening in an area that already has plenty of takeaway options.

But that doesn’t worry her.

“There’s definitely competition, but I also think we stand out from the others,” she says.

Smørrebrød is only the first step, as there are already plans to expand the concept.

In the future, Cecilie wants to offer warm dishes as easy dinner options: boller i karry, chicken with oven potatoes, lasagna, and similar classics.

The idea is to create a monthly schedule with a “dish of the day”, where the same meal returns every Monday, Tuesday, and so on.

“It’s not that different from going to Føtex. The difference is that I make everything from scratch,” she says.

A young entrepreneur with determination

Even though she is “only” 21, Cecilie sounds like someone who has already run a business for years.

“I’m a young entrepreneur, but I still have many years of experience,” she says with a laugh.

Her father is co-owner of the shop, but Cecilie will run the day-to-day operations herself.

In the long term, the dream is to expand — both with more space and with catering for birthdays, confirmations, and other events.

For now, the focus is simple: getting people from Aalborg through the door — and sending them back out again with full stomachs.