Independent Sub Shop to Open in Randall's Corridor of Chains

Starting this month, a new Algonquin sub shop will join a select few independently owned businesses along the Randall Road corridor.

Bubs Subs, 260 S. Randall Road, will join four other tenants in Stonegate Commons retail strip center.

Owner Dominick Pulli, a self-described “sub connoisseur” said he can’t wait.

“I’ve been wanting to get into the sub business for quite a few years now,” he said. “We’ve sank every single spare penny into this place to get it open. We’ve got that much faith, because we know the area’s right and the food’s going to be top of the line.”

The restaurant will feature fresh sandwich bread baked at the shop daily, Italian beef and premium deli meats, as well as homemade sauces, dressings, and salads.

Pulli is no stranger to the restaurant business. When he was 17, he ran a Chicago-style pizzeria and deli. He quickly worked his way up from washing dishes and delivering pizzas to managing the place directly under the owner. It was then he knew he wanted one day to open his own restaurant.

Previously a real estate investor, Pulli also ran for a few years his own Chicago-style beef and hot dog shop called Luciano’s Chicago Grill in West Dundee. When he relocated to Randall Road this year, he decided to change the concept to , still focusing on Italian beef sandwiches, but now adding subs.

Despite , Pulli said he is not worried about opening a business in the current economic climate.

“I actually look forward to the challenges that a soft economy brings,” Pulli said. “We want to be able to provide great food at the right price. We’re looking forward to earning business and maintaining a huge customer base.”

Pam Miszkowicz, the CB Richard Ellis leasing agent on the property, said the Stonegate Commons shopping center is thriving and a good place for the new sub shop.

“The Home Depot brings a lot of traffic there,” she said. “And the other tenants seem to be happy.”

Pulli said he wants to dispel rumors that the Quizno’s closed because it was shut down by the health department. Instead, he chalks up the restaurant’s closing to the previous owners’ lack of business experience.

Meanwhile, Community Development Director Russell Farnum said development continues thrive all over the village.

“We’re actually refilling a lot of places that have been vacant for the last couple of years, where stores have left during the depths of the Great Recession as it’s being called now,” he said. “We’re seeing new stores open in their place which is exciting.”

As for the shop’s name, Pulli said it was chosen to appeal to people from all walks of life.

“I wanted a name that isn’t taken too seriously,” he said. “Something a little catchy. My sister said, ‘How about Bubs Subs?’ It’s a goofy name, and fun. When you think of a name like Bubs Subs, we want you to feel comfortable.”