Sub chain franchisees to open shop in Springfield

Franchisees of a Cincinnati-based sub chain are working toward an opening next week for the first of four planned stores in Greene and Christian counties.

Springfieldian Itamar Gartin and friend and business partner Chris Rand, a St. Louis resident, have scheduled a Jan. 28 opening for Springfield's first Penn Station East Coast Subs shop at Battlefield Marketplace, 900 E. Battlefield Road, next door to Cold Stone Creamery.

The 1,700-square-foot spot, which Gartin said is leased from Magers Enterprises for roughly $1,700 a month, is the former home of men's clothing store Blackwells, which relocated last year to the Brentwood Center on South Glenstone Avenue across from Battlefield Mall.

Gartin said the idea to open a franchise in Springfield formed from trips to St. Louis, when he and Rand would eat at Penn Station shops in the city.

"It does really well in St. Louis, and that's where I first had it," he said.

Gartin left a 10-year career with Prime Inc. in logistics and business development to venture into the franchise restaurant business. He said the eatery will employ 18, under management by Dennis Maple, who also owns a minority share in the franchise company.

"Penn Station wants managing owners to have some skin in the game, to where he can directly affect his own paycheck by keeping the store profitable," Gartin said.

Gartin said he hopes the restaurant, which serves hot and cold subs, steak-cut fries and freshly squeezed lemonade, will appeal to former St. Louis students who have relocated to Springfield, as well as students studying in the Queen City.

Penn Station charges a franchise fee of $25,000 per store, as well as 6 percent royalties. The business partners are investing about $500,000 to get started, which includes franchise costs to open at least three other stores in Greene and Christian counties, Gartin said. The business partners are searching for locations for additional restaurants.