Jersey Mike's grand opening of first Michigan location today in Pittsfield Township
Jersey Mike’s, a national sub sandwich franchise, will officially open its first Michigan restaurant in Pittsfield Township today.
Peter Shipman, left, and Mike Wagner, right, outside of the new Jersey Mike's Pittsfield Township location at 3650 Carpenter Road.
Courtesy of Jersey Mike's
The 1,376-square-foot restaurant seats about 30 people and is situated between Starbucks Coffee and Great Clips in a retail center between Packard and Ellsworth.
The space was originally listed for lease by Angela Arcori and Bruce Baja of Signature Associates for an annual $19 per square foot.
Local franchise owner Peter Shipman said he and operating partner Mike Wagner closed the deal near the beginning of the year.
The New Jersey based company was founded in 1956 and has more than 600 stores open and under development nationwide.
The company had a record unit growth of 15 percent last year and opened 69 new restaurants in new and existing markets. On average, the company opens 30 restaurants a year.
Shipman said he plans to open another five or six Jersey Mike's restaurants in the next few years in Michigan.
"They will be in this basic area in Washtenaw County and (we'll) probably go into the suburbs of Detroit," he said.
As a business owner, Shipman is already acclimated with the area. He owns all three Ann Arbor Qdoba Mexican Grill locations.
"I moved back here eight years ago and I brought Qdoba to Ann Arbor," he said.
Both Shipman and Wagner have ties to the Ann Arbor area.
Shipman graduated from Huron High School and Wagner graduated from Pioneer High School.
In part of its grand opening, the restaurant will be hosting a five-day fundraiser from Wednesday, May 16, to Sunday, May 20, with proceeds supporting Huron High School and Ypsilanti High School.
Fundraising coupons have been circulated throughout the community and anyone with a coupon can get a free regular sub for a minimum $1 contribution to the fundraiser.
Shipman said there is already some anticipation in the area for the grand opening.
"It's been awesome," he said. "There are people that have relocated from other states that recognize Jersey Mike's. ... We're really excited to be in Ann Arbor."
Comments
Tyler
Thu, May 17, 2012 : 12:29 a.m.
Woo hoo!! Jersey Mike's is my FAVORITE! I just moved from D.C. and am SO glad to see a Jersey Mike's opening here. To answer the question of what their subs are all about, just look up their website where you can read about their incredible history and all the different sandwiches they make. All the meats are sliced fresh when you order and the Angus Beef is cooked right in the store. I can't wait to go- I'm so glad I saw this article!
DBH
Thu, May 17, 2012 : 2:13 a.m.
Unless I am missing something at their website, I still don't see how "East Coast style sub" is defined, unless that characterization refers to the apparent fact that they are willing to slice the meat to your preferred thickness. If that is the differentiating feature, it seems pretty lame to me and hardly is worthy of defining a sub as conforming to a particular style, "East Coast" or otherwise.
treetowncartel
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 9:02 p.m.
Jersey Giant out of the lansing area used to have a shop on Washtenaw, i'm assuming Jersey Mike's will be similar to those, and they were very good. Jersey Giant actually cuts the meat and cheese to order for each sub on their slicer, very fresh.
UM owns
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 5:01 p.m.
Where can one get one of these coupons?
DBH
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 8:19 p.m.
And, @Holly, since Katrease Stafford (the author of this article) is either unable or unwilling to answer my question submitted earlier, perhaps you can enlighten the readership. What defines an "East Coast-style sub?" How many "styles" of subs are there?
Andrew
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 6:32 p.m.
do you have to be a student at one of these high schools or can you just go to them and ask for a fundraiser coupon?
Holly
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 6:24 p.m.
I work with Jersey Mike's and hope you join us soon. Both Ann Arbor Huron High School and Ypsilanti High School are distributing coupons.
DwightSchrute
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 4:45 p.m.
key question unanswered in the story is what is an East Coast style sub???
Jimmy McNulty
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 9:14 p.m.
Dwight, I suppose the biggest difference is the bread and the meats. No Italian dressing or mayo, just red vinegar/oil and Italian spices. But the bread should be crusty, chewy, and be able to not fall apart at the same time. DiBella's Old Fashioned Submarines are great and come close, but Jersey Mike's has them with the bread.
Basic Bob
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 7:46 p.m.
fuhgeddaboudit
A2comments
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 2:34 p.m.
Congrats on opening your first sub shop. However, your Qdoba locations have had some critical and numerous non-critical health dept violations. Please raise the level of cleanliness at ALL your restaurants.
DBH
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 2:23 p.m.
"The restaurant, which is located at 3650 Carpenter Road, will specialize in East Coast-style subs." What characterizes "East Coast-style subs?" How do they differ from "West Coast-style subs" (if such a style exists), or any other style?
Frank
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 1:29 p.m.
so happy i saw this article. Cant wait to have a Jersey Mike's for lunch today!
jleahcap
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 1:08 p.m.
These will be the most amazing subs you'll ever taste. Try the #2. I was born in Jersey Mike's hometown of Point Pleasant (the map will be on the wall in the store) and have been eating these subs for 35 years when it was still Mike's Subs. I have carried them on the plane from home, back to Michigan. I'll even eat them smushed and soggy from TSA-they're that good. They're more money than we're used to paying around here, but that's just the extra bonus NJ brings :) It is so good to have such a familiar piece of home here in Ann Arbor. All us Jersey Shore Girls will remember eating these on the beach. Welcome to Michigan, Mike's. I've missed you so much.
Jimmy McNulty
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 12:37 p.m.
Congratulations to Jersey Mike's, I hope they're a hit!
Hmm
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 12:18 p.m.
Congrats on the opening I will stop by this weekend and pick up a sub and give it a try!