Jersey Mike's is coming to Gardner - when you can get those subs that are 'a cut above'

Greater Gardner sandwich enthusiasts will soon have a chance to try it Mike’s way.

Jersey Mike’s, the fast-casual sub sandwich shop, has announced plans to open a location at Timpany Crossroads in Gardner in 2024.

Franchise owner Tyler Tombs, who owns and operates Jersey Mike’s locations in Shrewsbury, Worcester, Westborough, and Framingham, said he felt a Jersey Mike’s, which he described as a new version of an old-fashioned mom-and-pop sandwich shop, would do very well in Gardner based on what he had been hearing over the years from his current employees.

“Funnily enough, two of my employees actually live in Gardner, and when they’d be walking around in their uniforms before or after work, people would be asking them, ‘When are you coming to Gardner?’” Tombs said. “And then when I saw (Timpany Crossroads) being constructed a few years ago, it seemed like a great spot for a Jersey Mike’s.”

The franchise, which has more than 2,500 locations nationwide, began under the name Mike’s Subs in Point Pleasant, NJ, in 1956. Because of its location on the busy Jersey Shore, it grew quickly in popularity among the thousands of surf and sun seekers from up and down the East Cast. By the early 1970s, the shop was a thriving landmark famous for its lively and friendly service and its fresh submarine sandwiches.

Brand relatively new to New England market

Today, Jersey Mike’s is one of the fastest-growing fast-casual brands in the country, Tombs said, even though it was relatively new to the New England market.

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“When I first opened my Shrewsbury store, we had a line out the door for like the first month, just because there was such a buzz around the opening,” he said, adding that what made the franchise unique was the fact that everything was sliced or grilled fresh while customers watched. “And that really surprises a lot of first-time customers.”

As for toppings, Tombs recommends trying it the trademarked ‘Mike’s Way,’ with onions, lettuce, tomatoes, and Jersey Mike’s ‘Juice,’ a unique blend of red wine vinegar, olive oil, and spices.

“That’s how we always recommend customers try it the first time,” he said. “It really makes our product special and keeps people coming back for more – if I didn’t believe in it, I wouldn’t be involved in it.”

Timpany Crossroads ideal location for Jersey Mike's

The recently constructed Timpany Crossroads presents an ideal location for a Jersey Mike’s, according to Tombs.

“The obvious answer is that it's new construction, which is pretty hard to come by in Massachusetts given that most strip malls are relatively older, and that most available space in strip malls these days is too big for a Jersey Mike’s to go into,” he explained, adding that the franchise was typically located in spaces between 1,400 and 2,000 square feet. “And obviously a Starbucks is there, and we kind of like to go where they go.”

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Tombs said he felt there was enough demand for a Jersey Mike’s in Gardner to justify opening a location there.

“I felt the same way when I opened my Shrewsbury location – there wasn’t a Jersey Mike’s within 30 to 45 minutes, and now that’s the same for Gardner,” he said.

Amy Fantoni, owner of Timpany Crossroads, praised her real estate broker - Mike Jacob of Glickman, Kovago, and Jacobs - for his efforts over the past two years in persuading Jersey Mike's to open a location in Gardner.

"It wasn't easy - we've been in holding patterns with (Jersey Mike's), we've been shelved," Fantoni said. "It took a lot of convincing to get them to wrap their brains around the fact that Gardner is a great spot for them to be. Mike pushed incredibly hard to get Jersey Mike's to commit, so I owe him a great deal of credit for all of his hard work and persistence."

Fantoni also praised her partners at Athol Savings Bank, especially Sarah Ploskonka, for their work in the process.

Hiring plans and community involvement a priority

Tombs estimated that he would be hiring between 20 and 30 full- and part-time employees to work at the Gardner location.

Tombs said he was looking forward to being a part of the Greater Gardner community.

“We love getting involved with the local schools and the other local businesses,” he explained. “During our grand opening, we’ll choose a local organization or school to partner with for a fundraiser to raise money. We want people to realize that while we are a chain, we’re still a local business

The restaurant is scheduled to open to the public over the summer.

This article originally appeared on Gardner News: Jersey Mike's coming to Timpany Crossroads in Gardner