Now Open: Jersey Mike's Subs

After 10 years of eating at the same local spots, Rosie Gutierrez was ready for a change in her lunch routine.  So she and her co-workers and dozens of other hungry customers headed to opening day at Jersey Mike's Subs on Wednesday. The sandwich shop is the first business to welcome customers at the Summit at Calabasas shopping center at Agoura and Lost Hills roads.

"We like the idea that we can actually walk over and get something to eat instead of fighting for a parking space," said Guttierrez, who works at nearby women's clothing manufacturer John Paul Richard.

To mark its grand opening, Jersey Mike's  was giving away free sub sandwiches in exchange for a $1 donation to A.E. Wright Middle School and Lupin Hill Elementary, and the line went out the door.

"I'm a big supporter of schools and children," said Lisa Sutter, one of Jersey Mike's owners, who has two kids who went through Las Virgenes Unified schools and another who will.

Although Sutter said she's aware of the risks of opening a restaurant in the current economic climate, she hopes that the good food and location will attract and retain customers.

"I've heard a lot of good feedback, and I have a really good feeling about it," Sutter said. "I'm not sure how many people we've served today-- I'd say hundreds."

Jennifer Baer of Agoura Hills sat outside to enjoy her sub.

"I've been waiting," Baer said of the Summit at Calabasas. "We have nothing around here--we needed this."

Although some people had to stand in line for more than 30 minutes to get their subs, most didn't mind waiting.

Dutch Blomenkamp, who works at Exact Time down the street, said he's been waiting for months for Jersey Mike's to open.

"The options are great," Blomenkamp said. "I'm going to order the chipotle cheese steak."

The Summit at Calabasas is the city's first LEED Silver commercial development project since a green building ordinance went into effect five years ago. This third-party verification ensures that a building project is environmentally responsible, profitable and a healthy place to inhabit.

Other businesses coming soon to the Summit include:

• Maddy's Market, opening in October 2010

• Senor Fred (a full service sit down contemporary Mexican/tapas restaurant with full bar)
• Wolf Creek Brewery (an American grill menu with micro-brewed specialty beers)
• An upscale "green" stationary/gift boutique
• BCBC Nail Salon
• A full service "green" dry cleaner
• A take-out pizza restaurant
• A gourmet coffee/tea shop