Firehouse Subs Heats Up Oak Lawn With Monday Opening

Caption: Firehouse Subs owner Ron Magnabosco, with his wife, Lesley, and daughters, Josie and Rachel. The interior decor pays homage to Oak Lawn’s local firefighting history.

Oak Lawn’s Stony Creek Promenade is about to get hotter with the opening ofFirehouse Subs.

Local residents will no longer have to go to Orland Park for a “fully involved” hot speciality sub. The fast, casual dining eatery at 111th Street and Cicero Avenue will throw open its doors at 10:30 a.m. Monday.

Patch happened to wander in after a riveting Saturday morning at traffic safety school when Firehouse’s crew of 16 were wrapping up a training session.

>>> RELATED: Firehouse Subs Prepares for Grand Opening in Stony Creek Promenade

The Oak Lawn franchise is owned by lifelong Southland resident Ron Magnabosco, of Tinley Park, who grew up in Homewood and Chicago Heights. Magnabosco said he was sold on Firehouse Subs’ superior product when looking for a franchise opportunity.

“I like the idea of a hot sandwich, it sets us apart,” Magnabosco said. “There is nothing pre-sliced or processed. All the meats and cheeses are sliced down fresh everyday. Some of the sandwiches here you can’t get anywhere else like our meatball sub. Unless you’re making it at home you’re not getting a meatball sub like ours.”

Firehouse Subs features an array speciality hot and cold subs, salads and sandwich choices under 500 calories. The Oak Lawn location will also offer catering.

Magnabosco had first set his sights on opening in Tinley Park at 183rd Street and Harlem but couldn’t find a space to lease. His realtor told him about the Stony Creek Promenade development.

“We came out and looked at it and we were like, ‘oh my, God, it’s perfect,’” Magnabosco said. “It was the right size and an excellent location. It just worked out great. It was a stroke of luck.”

Magnabosco loves the new development. He added that Firehouse is highly selective about where it opens a franchise.

“I remember coming out here years ago and seeing all the seagulls in the Kmart parking lot. It was very stagnant,” Magnabosco said. “I’m glad we’re part of the redevelopment. I think you have some really dining choices here and it looks good. I like what Oak Lawn is doing for the residents and community.”

Almost all of the restaurant’s 16-per crew are from the Oak Lawn area, including students from Marist and Mother McAuley high schools, and Moraine Valley Community College.

As with all Firehouse Subs locations, the decor pays tribute to the local fire department. Featured at the Stony Creek Promenade Firehouse Subs is a stunning, handpainted, custom mural of an Oak Lawn fire truck pulling up in front of Patriot Station by artist Joe “Bush” Puskas.

There are over 850 Firehouse Subs locations in the United States with plans to have 2,000 in place by 2020. The franchise was started by a pair of firefighter brothers, Chris and Robin Sorensen.

Oak Lawn’s Firehouse Subs is a family operation. In addition to Magnabosco, customers may also run into his wife, Lesley, who grew up in the Mt. Greenwood area, and daughters, Rachel and Josie, behind the counter.

“We’re looking forward to getting it going here for Oak Lawn,” Magnabosco said.

Firehouse Subs is located at 11008 S. Cicero Ave. (110th and Cicero, in Stony Creek Promenade). Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

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