Craig Howell SPECIAL GUESTS – Following Tuesday’s ribbon cutting, Jersey Mike’s offered a family and friends event, allowing guests to get an early taste of their sub sandwiches. The store is open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week.

WEIRTON – Area residents looking for a new option for fresh, made-to-order sandwiches, don’t have to go to the Jersey Shore to find it.

The new Jersey Mike’s Subs shop in Weirton officially opens its doors today, welcoming its first guests at 10 a.m. Employees and representatives of franchise owner Cedartown Foods LLC hosted a ribbon cutting and family and friends night Tuesday, with representatives of the Weirton Area Chamber of Commerce, City of Weirton, and others getting a sneak preview.

“We’re super excited to be here in Weirton,” said Aaron Rosenstein, co-founder of Cedartown.

The shop represents an investment of $600,000, and includes the creation of 36 jobs for local residents.

Jersey Mike’s was founded in 1956 in Point Pleasant, N.J. Originally known as Mike’s Subs, the company has grown to more than 3,200 locations in the United States and Canada, each offering a selection of fresh, subs, wraps and more with meats and cheeses sliced upon order and sandwiches prepared in front of the customers.

Craig Howell CUTTING THE RIBBON – Staff and franchise owners of the new Jersey Mike’s location in Weirton were joined by area business and government officials, and other guests, Tuesday, for a special grand opening celebration. The location officially opens today.

Cedartown was founded in 2021 and owns a dozen Jersey Mike’s franchises in Ohio and Pennsylvania.

“This is our 13th Jersey Mike’s location, and the first one in the great state of West Virginia,” Rosenstein said.

The new Jersey Mike’s in Weirton is located at 253 Three Springs Drive, within the Three Springs Crossing business plaza, and can be contacted at 681-348-1570. Orders also can be placed through the Jersey Mike’s website and app, with delivery available through some third-party apps. It will be open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day.

“We look forward to working with you, as does everyone else,” Weirton Area Chamber of Commerce President Brenda Mull said.

Others agreed, explaining the Weirton community has been excited about the opening of the business since it was announced earlier this year.

“There’s been more buzz about Jersey Mike’s than anything in a long time,” noted Weirton Mayor Dean Harris, among those offering a welcome to the shop and its staff.

According to John Whitten, marketing director of Cedartown Foods, the franchise works to be active in its communities, regularly looking at opportunities to contribute to a variety of campaigns and programs.

The first begins this week, with an immediate donation of $2,500 to the Weir High School Athletic Department. That contribution will be in addition to a campaign held through Sunday in which those presenting a special fundraising coupon distributed through the community in recent days can make a minimum donation of $3 and receive a free regular sub. All proceeds also will benefit Weir High Athletics.

(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com)