Well-Known Sandwich Chain To Open Shop In Berlin

BERLIN, CT — Hungry area residents will soon have a new place to chow down and feed their hunger for a large, fresh sandwich.

That's because the Berlin Planning & Zoning Commission last week approved a special permit modification that, essentially, paves the way for a developer to open a "Jersey Mike's" sandwich shop in a local shopping plaza.

Called a "change of use," what was approved by the PZC on May 30 was a modification to an already approved site plan application.

According to attorney Megan Hope of Alter & Pearson out of Glastonbury, the developer — Peter LaPointe of Colvest/Kensington LLC — had a special permit approved on Dec. 15, 2022 to redevelop an old Blockbuster Video site.

One part of that building, Hope said, became the current Starbucks coffee shop there with the other portion earmarked for the Jersey Mike's.

The change in use application required the PZC to approve that commercial zone's allowance of "fast food" uses on the site, an approval granted easily via a unanimous PZC vote.

PZC members approved the application conditional that parking plans be updated for the new fast food place and parking for employees be designated.

Jersey Mike's is a fast-growing national sandwich chain that specializes in hot subs, cold subs and catering.

It's best known for a policy where the meat and cheese is cut fresh like a deli as staff members prepare customers' sandwiches.

There are currently 37 Jersey Mike's sandwich shops in Connecticut, the nearest to Berlin being in Newington.

No specific date of opening is listed for the Berlin store, which would be in the Kensington section of town, but it is listed as "coming soon" on the Jersey Mike's website.

For the minutes of the May 30 Berlin Planning & Zoning Commission meeting, click on this link.