Owners partner with UCSD Medical Center to raise money for women and infants services during opening week

By Anthony King | SDUN Editor

Hillcrest residents welcomed Jersey Mike’s Subs to the culinary neighborhood, with a grand opening of the sandwich shop on Wednesday, June 20. The location, at 3975 Fifth Ave., is between Washington and University streets, a current hot spot for new franchise restaurants.

Franchise owners Brad and Sharon Remy and Jacque and Christine Moutier held a opening party in the evening before the grand opening, attended by friends and family. This is their first Jersey Mike’s franchise.

With the spirit of community in mind, the couples said they decided to circulate coupons throughout the community for the opening, offering a free sub sandwich for a minimum $1 contribution to University of California, San Diego (UCSD) Health System’s women and infants services program. The offer is good from opening day through Sunday, June 24, with a coupon.

Jay McCarthy, Jersey Mike’s regional director of marketing, attended the opening, and praised the Remys and Moutiers for their focus on community. “We have a huge culture of giving back to community and community involvement,” he said. “Everyone’s really close-knit here, and that’s the way we try to run business.”

Brad Remy said they partnered with the UCSD women and infants services program as an opportunity to give back. “We went over and did a tour [and] saw the great things they were doing,” he said. “They’re in need of some chairs and some equipment … and we’re going to contribute all [monies from] our fundraiser from the next five days into UCSD.”

The idea to partner with UCSD originally came from the Moutiers, Remy said, whose family used the facility’s neonatal services several years ago.

“We have a personal connection there,” Brad Remy said. “It’s just fabulous how many great things are happening.”

Jacque Moutier, who said they have hired 21 people to staff the restaurant, said their charity efforts would extend beyond UCSD in the future.

“Usually, we look for charities that our employees are already involved in, so it is something that’s near and dear to their hearts,” he said.

Lisa Weir, marketing and communications director for the Hillcrest Business Association (HBA), said the owners bring a “connected and welcoming energy” to the business district. “It is energy from businesses like theirs that makes Hillcrest fabulous,” she said. “With many new businesses opening along the 3900 block of Fifth Avenue, we’re witnessing what successful businesses working in synergy looks like.”

The Remy and Moutier’s franchise is one of over 750 Jersey Mike’s Sub stores nation-wide. Opened as a single location in Point Pleasant, N.J. in 1956, current CEO Peter Cancro launched the franchise in 1987, 15 years after he purchased the New Jersey store from the original owner.

Known for their “fresh sliced/fresh grilled East coast-style subs,” the sandwiches are made with a signature blend of olive oil, red wine vinegar and spices. Ingredients include private-label meats and cheeses on bread baked in the store.

Calling opening day “awesome,” with lines out the door for lunch service, Brad Remy said they had handed out over 400 sub sandwiches by 2 p.m. Store hours are currently from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week.