DiBella's Subs in Troy Opens to a Long Line, Overnight Campers

What a way to break in a new tent — and open a new business, for that matter.

DiBella's Subs, a small chain of sandwich shops with 33 locations in six states, opened in Troy on Thursday to long lines and campers who had set up overnight.

Peng Zhang, 24, and Ma Ziao, 27, are both university students who live together near the store's location at 475 E. Big Beaver Rd. They said that when they saw tents popping up on Thursday night — in anticipation of an offer for "free subs for a year" to the first 30 customers — they figured, what a way to use their new tent.

"We just bought the tent and thought we could use it for the first time," said Zhang. "Then we heard about the free food — there was a barbecue here on Thursday — and we decided to stay.

"We got here at about 11 p.m. and slept about five hours. ... It was pretty cold, but I slept OK."

Upon opening at 10 a.m., general manager James Schayes said, the store was flooded with customers.

"I can remember long before this store was here. There was like, nothing here," said Schayes, adding that he grew up nearby, in Troy. "It's exciting, for sure, to see so many people."

DiBella's figures to be a popular spot among the lunch crowd and shoppers alike, said Troy Economic Development Specialist Glenn C. Lapin. The menu features sandwich combination meals starting out at under $9 and includes salads, cookies, and specialty subs.

"Before they moved in, I visited the Ann Arbor location and I thought it was fabulous," Lapin said. "I think they'll do very well here and people will enjoy it."

DiBella's Subs is located 475 E. Big Beaver Rd. at Kilmer Drive in Troy. It is open from 10 a.m.-10 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 10 a.m.-9 p.m. on Sunday. Contact the store by phone at (248) 528-3562.