Upon first impression, the new Subway on Witherspoon Street feels immediately familiar. The soft lighting and bright colors on the menu are no different than at any other Subway. But this store's owners hope their enthusiam will set it apart.
"I love the whole of Princeton," said Pratima Patel, owner of the store that opened Nov. 12, as she slid a cookie into a wax paper envelope. "It is a dream come true for me to live here."
Patel, originally from India, is passionate about Princeton. "I lived in England for 15 years, and many of the buildings there are very Princetonian," she said. "I like it a lot. I've wanted to come here since I was a little girl."
Her love for the area helps Patel to alleviate the anxiety of paying the high rent to do business in Princeton. "I wish I had a choice, but the real estate here is high so we expected a high rent," she said.
The Subway is co-owned by Patel and her son Dave, a master's student in Philadelphia. It employs mostly part-time Princeton high school students.
Ruth, an employee, said the store already has regular customers. She said opening a Subway was "a pretty good idea. Besides going to Burger King, you have another way to get fast food that is also fresh and healthy."
As the only fast food chain within walking distance of the University besides Burger King or Hoagie Haven, Subway received a lot of encouragement from the town in general, Patel said.
"It's nice to have a less expensive, somewhat healthier alternative to the pricier restaurants around Nassau [Street] without having to go to Burger King or Hoagie Haven," Sarah Pfau '08 said.
To attract student business, Patel and her employees give free cookies to customers that mention they are University students.
Some students have already started to take advantage of the new Subway. Patel said a student group ordered seven large platters for an event on Wednesday.
"We gave out about 120 free cookies yesterday with the platters," said Patel. "It wasn't because they bought food. The cost doesn't matter, we just appreciate our customers so much."
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