Jersey Mike's Subs prepares Wappingers Falls opening; why chain has boomed in Dutchess

For the third time in three years, a Jersey Mike's Subs is preparing to open along Route 9 in Dutchess County.

A national chain with over 2,000 locations, Jersey Mike's offers a variety of submarine sandwiches including cheese steaks, an all veggie sub, Italian, tuna fish and more.

Celebrity: Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Hilarie Burton Morgan launch MF libations gin, whiskey

Subscriber only: ARPA funds in NY being spent on a variety of projects

Entertainment: HGTV offered a 'kick start' to this Hudson Valley town

An application was received in early April by the Wappingers Falls Planning Board to refurbish the building at 1576 Route 9.

The location, next to Perkins and Dunkin' Donuts, is hoping to begin welcoming patrons in August, though no official opening date has been set and the town approvals process is ongoing.

In 2019, a Jersey Mike's opened on Route 9 in Fishkill and, in 2021, another opened at South Road Crossing in Poughkeepsie.

Why are so many popping up along Route 9?

That would be Bernadette Klein, the franchisee for the three locations.

"(The Fishkill and Poughkeepsie locations) are doing very well," Klein said. "It seems like there's a big demand for an old fashioned deli-style sandwich. I think fast food is wearing people down."

Klein said the idea to bring the chain to Dutchess stems from the frustrations of her husband, a tradesman who she describes as a "ham and cheese guy." She said he and his coworkers felt there was a void for straightforward deli sandwiches along Route 9 "and we were happy to fill it."

She also noted the naturally high traffic along the road as a contributing factor.

Klein said she wanted to make sure she was doing some good in the community. As a brand, when a Jersey Mike's location opens, the franchise gives back to the community by donating to a local charity. They also host a "Day of Giving," where 100% of their sales for the day go to a local charity.

"They really support that idea of giving back," Klein said. "Which is nice as an owner because I've always had a giving streak, but not the means to do so. It gives the (employees) purpose and builds excitement in the community. I think it's a good pattern to set."

According to Klein, when the Fishkill location opened, they donated more than $10,000 to Sparrows Nest, a Hudson Valley-based charity that gives meals to children and their caregivers who have been diagnosed with cancer. When the Poughkeepsie restaurant opened, they gave more than $5,000 to Maria Fareri Children's Hospital at MidHudson Regional Hospital.

For more information on Jersey Mike's, visit jerseymikes.com.

Heather Clark covers business openings and closings throughout the Hudson Valley. Contact Clark via email, hclark@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: Jersey Mike's Subs prepares Wappingers Falls opening along Route 9