Jersey Mike's sub shop opens with Tinley Wish fundraiser

The sad state of the car business these days was enough to persuade Eric Woodall and Tony Turco to try their hand at something different: opening a Jersey Mike's Subs shop in Tinley Park.

Together with Eric's cousin, David Zaycek, the trio decided to open the sandwich shop at 16250 S. Harlem Ave. The doors open to the public Wednesday morning after a VIP opening Tuesday night.

The decision was an easy one, says Turco, who worked with Woodall at Napleton Dodge in Oak Lawn. "Eric and I talked about doing something like this at least six years ago. My dream was always to open a bar, but this was more guaranteed."

Woodall says the trio was turned on to Jersey Mike's because Zaycek grew up in the New Jersey city where the chain was founded 54 years ago. "Dave said the food was great and that the restaurant was always crowded."

Jersey Mike's is in expansion mode and entered the Illinois market last year. The chain has 450 shops open or in the process of opening.

Woodall says they chose Tinley Park because he and Turco are familiar with the south suburbs and "we saw a market on the South Side."

"Jersey Mike's is an old-fashioned kind of place," Woodall says. "The company doesn't do a lot of advertising. We rely on the reputation of our food."

Woodall says the trio considered the economy but decided to open anyway because "even in a down economy people have to eat."

If things work out, the Tinley store may be only the first of many for the trio. "We have a three-store agreement," says Woodall. "Once we get this one going, we are looking at a second store in the Palos area near Sandburg High School."

As for a third store? "We might look at Frankfort or Oak Lawn or even Crestwood," says Turco.

"We will be active members of the community," says Zaycek, a 2008 graduate of the University of South Carolina. "We want coming to Jersey Mike's to be an experience that you want to repeat. Coming here will be fun."

As part of the grand opening, thousands of fundraising coupons have been distributed throughout Tinley Park. "Come in with a coupon and donate a $1 to Tinley Wish and you get a regular sub sandwich," says Woodall. Tinley Wish is a charitable group that helps local families in need. The fundraiser runs from Wednesday to Sunday, Oct. 10.

The shop has undergone substantial renovation from its days as a Great Wraps shop. There are new tables and booths, and five big screen televisions dot the dining room room.

"We can put cartoons on one TV for the kids while parents watch a game on another TV," says Turco.

Jersey Mike's offers three size sandwiches. The mini is five inches long, their regular is seven and a half inches and their giant is an impressive 15 inches long. The shop serves both hot and cold subs as well as wraps, soups and salads. There also are chips, drinks and cookies.

The shop employs 17 workers along with the three owners who are hands-on managers, says Zaycek.

The shop is open every day from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Woodall says delivery is available.

For more information, call 708-532-9400 or visit www.jerseymikes.com.

Download the movie