Maureen Brogan began frequenting the Original Subway Shop & Deli a few years ago. During her visits, Brogan took advantage of the shop’s lending library, available to customers who wish to spend the afternoon with their noses in a book and a sub in their bellies. The reading led to conversations about the books with owners Sarki and Jackie David.
At that point, the shop had been open for more than 30 years. Jackie had been trying to convince the very passionate and hard-working Sarki to retire, but he wouldn’t budge. Maureen told the owners “that I’d buy a lottery ticket and if I won, I’d give them a million so they could go play with their kids in Washington State and I’d stay around to run the shop!” They chuckled about it, not knowing that part of the dream would come to fruition (sadly, however, not the lottery winnings).
So, you wanna buy a sub shop?
It was July 18, 2015 when Maureen received a message on Facebook from Jackie David, requesting a meeting. Jackie wanted to retire. “It was great timing because my previous jobs were all being eliminated. Artomatic 419 was over and I was looking for the next thing,” said Brogan.
After the meeting, Brogan felt inspired and motivated. She wanted to run the place, “I didn’t want the shop to be closed even for one day after they were gone, so I told them I would just jump in and keep it going,” Brogan remarked.
To Brogan’s delight and amazement, the Davids were sold on her proposition. Sarki retired a week into her new gig, but Jackie stayed on for a month to help her get acclimated. “Jackie told me, ‘I’ll leave when my little bird can fly.’ I couldn’t ask for a better friend or mentor,” said Brogan. Shortly after, Brogan signed contracts that solidified her ownership of the business and the building that housed it.
Owner, Maureen Brogan, holds the Italian sub a customer favorite
Sub Maureen (and company)
At present, Maureen runs The Original Sub Shop & Deli with the same menu items from the Sarki and Jackie David-era. She carries on the tradition of purchasing from local businesses, like All Crumbs Bakery (which supplies all the bread), Turkey Foot Creamery in Wauseon, and local farmer’s markets. The Original Sub Shop & Deli also does catering for Black Cloister Brewery and supplied sustenance for Startup Toledo’s Weekend this past year.
With the help of Maureen’s two employees, James Langton and Lydia Grondin, the shop cranks out fresh sides like tabouli, coleslaw and potato salad each day. With colder outdoor temperatures, there is more emphasis on homemade soups. Grondin, or “The Soup Whisperer”, as she is known around the shop, has concocted delectable butternut squash, Chinese chicken corn chowder, and habanero tomato soups.
The sandwiches, however, still take center stage. Popular choices include the Italian sub and new offering, Chevre, goat cheese with roasted red peppers, grilled onions, mushrooms and tomato.
Maureen stocks atypical sandwich shop beverages, like local Boochy Mama kombucha, delicious Fentiman’s Rose Lemonade, and a bitter, sparkling hop-water soda called Hopwater.
So far, Maureen has been humbled by the positive reception of her new ownership. When asked about her hopes for the future of the shop, Maureen’s outlook is simple: “ I want to offer a warm, welcoming, delicious place you come to just as much for the friendliness as you do for the food.”
11am-5pm, Monday-Saturday
Original Sub Shop, 402 Broadway St.
419-243-4857 | originalsub.com
