Jersey Mike’s Subs is opening in August in the Auburn Shopping Center, 600 Center St. Submitted photo

Get ready to ask for it “Mike’s way” at the area’s first Jersey Mike’s Subs, eyeing an August opening in the Auburn Shopping Center at 600 Center St.

Franchise owner Chris Brown said he plans to hire 20 to 25 employees as they get closer to wrapping up construction, which is well underway.

Jersey Mike’s is a fast-casual style restaurant serving fresh, in-house baked rolls, fresh sliced, made-to-order hot and cold subs. They do have gluten-free bread available as well.

The franchise has more than 2,200 stores in 49 states, with four other Maine locations already operating: Bangor, Brunswick, Scarborough and Windham. Stores in Topsham and Westbrook are under construction and stores are planned for Saco and Augusta later this year.

Brown said he chose Auburn because of the growth in the area and noted the impending opening of Target, which is across Center Street from his store.

Brown is no rookie to the sub business, owning 70 Jersey Mike’s franchises in 10 states. Jersey Mike’s is on a tear, opening 246 locations in 2021 and was named the fastest growing sandwich chain in the 2022 Nation’s Restaurant News top 500.

BLUE JAY COFFEE TO OPEN IN LEWISTON

Chai latte made in-house with toasted spices, fresh ginger and Assam tea will be offered at the soon-to-open Blue Jay Coffee, 189 Main St., Lewiston. Submitted photo

Owner Jenna Guiggey describes Blue Jay Coffee as a place to come, meet friends, enjoy some coffee or tea and stay a while. She’s talking about her new coffee shop in the works at 189 Main St. in Lewiston. Guiggey is trading in her front-of-house manager position at Brickyard Hollow Brewing Co. in Yarmouth to work for herself.

Remodeling work at Blue Jay Coffee is mostly completed, Guiggey told the Buzz, and she hopes to open at the end of July.

Inside, she’ll be hard at work creating her own in-house flavorings for coffees and teas, like her chai latte mix, which she makes by simmering toasted spices, ginger and Assam black tea. Perhaps a little maple sea salt flavoring, or cardamom and rose?

Expect a few different kinds of drip brews sourced from Coffee by Design in Portland, as well as an espresso roast for her new espresso machine. Teas from Tea Maineia in Winterport include a strawberry kiwi iced tea. Guiggey said she’ll offer baked goods, muffins, bagels and more, all sourced locally.

“I’ve really always wanted to do this since I was a kid,” Guiggy explained. “I’m more of a hands-on person.”

The trained musician and voice teacher wants the space to be inviting to the local arts community and she plans to have art events and music in the coffee shop in the near future. Remote workers can bring their laptop and enjoy the free Wi-Fi for a change of pace.

Blue Jay Coffee is at Park and Main streets. There is a municipal parking lot on Park Street in addition to on-street spots.

Business hours will be 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Sunday. Updates are on her Facebook, Instagram pages and her website.

The Buzz offers quick hits about trending area business happenings. Have a Buzzable tip? Contact business writer Christopher Wheelock at 689-2817 or cwheelock@sunjournal.com