New sub restaurant opens in Springfield

Jon Smith Subs has more than a dozen stores in Florida, but the chain’s first restaurant in Ohio recently opened in Springfield on Bechtle Avenue.

The chain opened a location at 1013 N. Bechtel Ave. with a soft opening last week, said Kristi Loeffler, an assistant manager at the restaurant. The business is located in a shopping center behind Kroger and has about 20 employees.

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Loeffler said the chain’s signature is its marinated steak bomb sub that includes onions, peppers, mushrooms, bacon and tomatoes. But the chain also sells cold subs, salads and burgers. She said the chain is beginning to expand outside of Florida, but this is its first location in Ohio.

According to its website, the chain first opened in 1988 in Palm Beach County, Fla. The chain also has new locations pending in Palmdale, Ca., Texas, Las Vegas and Virginia according to its website.

The Springfield location has seats for about 45 customers and is open seven days a week. It also offers catering services and accepts call-in orders.

Loeffler said business has been slow initially but is expected to pick up once more people are aware its open. The Chamber of Greater Springfield recently hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a new sign on Bechtle Avenue is being installed to draw attention to the business.

Loeffler said the location will ideally provide another option for local residents.

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