Why Jersey Mike’s is leaving its downtown State College location, and where it will relocate
Jersey Mike’s Subs plans to close its downtown State College location after nearly a decade and then reopen in College Township, one of the business’ co-owners said Tuesday.
Franchise co-owners Matt and Kristie Patterson expect to close the first fast-casual sub shop they opened in Happy Valley by mid-June. They plan to reopen at 2135 S. Atherton St. about one week later.
A decline over the past five years of in-store sales, lower overhead and “challenges with the downtown” were driving factors behind the move, Matt Patterson said.
The business pays nearly $1,000 a month to cover their employees’ parking garage fees — an expense that will be eliminated by moving to Hills Plaza — and there has been an even larger shift during the COVID-19 pandemic toward customers using third-party delivery apps.
There is “not a big reason” to keep the downtown State College location open, Patterson said.
“Most of our day is servicing delivery drivers that are running anyway, and they have a challenge parking because it’s on a downtown street without parking. The cost savings for us and the ability to still service all of our same customer base for the most part is the main reason,” Patterson said. “We get a lot of people that tell us all the time that they don’t come downtown just because they want to be able to pull into a parking lot and pull right up to the door. That’s kind of the way it goes.”
The eatery plans to hire an additional 10-15 employees, which would add to the about 20 that already work at 128 S. Allen St.
The Pattersons signed a 10-year lease for the new Hills Plaza location. The Penn State alumni have been eyeing the plaza “for years,” Patterson said.
The move will keep Centre County’s tally of Jersey Mike’s at two. The Pattersons also own the Jersey Mike’s at 2009 N. Atherton St.
“I love the downtown and love the community,” Patterson said. “... But we’re excited for the move.”