New Sub Shop to Open in Strongsville

A sub sandwich shop making its first inroads into the Cleveland area is moving into the former Borders Plaza on Royalton Road.

Firehouse Subs will take over the spot vacated by The Steak Escape at 17200 Royalton Rd.

It will be the company's second Cleveland-area location, joining a Firehouse Subs shop at 6232 Mayfield Rd. in Mayfield Heights that is due to open in October.

There are also Ohio locations in Columbus, Toledo and Cincinnati.

Franchise owner Matthew Mikola said he hopes to open the Strongsville restaurant in early November.

"We'll be in before the holidays," he said.

The restaurant will have more than 70 seats and will offer catering.

The chain was started by a pair of firefighter brothers in Florida 18 years ago and how has more than 550 restaurants in 32 states and Puerto Rico.

The menu boasts hot and cold subs, with specialties like the Hook & Ladder (smoked turkey, honey ham and melted Monterey jack) and the Engineer (turkey, melted swiss and sauteed mushrooms). 

You can get the sandwiches "Fully Involved," which means topped with mayo, mustard, lettuce, onion and tomato.

Sides include soup, chips, cookies and brownies.

The restaurant is part of a rebirth for the plaza, which will get a new anchor next year when Earth Fare takes over the former Borders store.

Mikola, a Kent State University grad who lives in Stow, explored several local communities for his franchise, but knew he'd found a winner when he saw the Strongsville site.

"We've got a great anchor store and a great area," he said. 

Mikola said he's not worried about introducing an unfamilar brand into the area.

"The food carries it," he said. "Once somebody tries it, they'll be back on a weekly basis."

Mikola said he has already given information to Fire Chief Jeff Branic about the company's Public Safety Foundation, which offers grants to communities for equipment, gives scholarships and aid to people studying safety careers and feeds victims of disasters.