Which Wich sandwich shop coming this fall to Sam Newell shopping center
by Kara Lopp
(Above) Work was in full swing this week at Matthews Gateway, which will welcome a Which Wich sandwich shop by September and additional apartments and retail space by the end of the year. Kara Lopp/MMHW photo
A national sandwich shop franchise announced plans this week to move into Matthews Gateway, where the final two buildings – a mix of retail and apartments – should be complete by the end of the year.
Father and daughter duo Michael and Naomi Bailey plan to open a Which Wich Superior Sandwiches shop in the center by early September. The eatery will be next to newly-opened iN2 Nails and Riz Salons. Construction will start soon to prepare the space for the restaurant, but work was in full swing this week on another section of the center.
Matthews developer Garry Smith of BrookeChase Properties said crews are now working to build an 18,888-square-foot building to house retail space and an exercise room for Gateway apartment residents on the first floor and 18 additional apartments on the second and third floors. And within a month, Smith said, work will begin to construct the final building of the 6.4 acre, $12 million to $14 million project. The mixed use 14,000-square-foot building, which will face Sam Newell Road, will combine retail and residential with a plaza courtyard in the middle for all the enjoy. Smith said he’s looking for a larger anchor restaurant for that building.
“We’re really excited about it,” Smith said, adding renters enjoy being able to walk to downtown Matthews amenities. Smith says it’s the “first true mixed-use development in downtown Matthews. The project is being designed by Matthews-based Urban Architectural Group.
Hungry? Which Wich coming soon
A 2009 graduate of Johnson & Wales University, Naomi Bailey said she’s been toying with the idea of opening a franchise restaurant with her dad – who already works in the food industry – for years. By September the 26-year-old Huntersville resident will realize that dream with the opening of Which Wich Superior Sandwiches in Matthews. The restaurant has a location in Huntersville and off Park Road in south Charlotte and Bailey said she “fell in love” with the concept.
The Matthews store will employ about 20 people in mostly part-time positions, Bailey said. Hiring hasn’t started yet.
The Dallas, Texas-based eatery offers more than 50 varieties of customizable, toasted “wiches,” including the Thank You Turkey, with stuffing and cranberry sauce, vegetarian options, and sandwiches with less than 400 calories each, according to a new release. To order, customers use red permanent markers to mark pre-printed menus on sandwich bags. The sandwiches are made to order and put in the bags, which customers are encouraged to draw on and hang on a community wall.
Which Wich also offers hand-dipped milk shakes, signature house chips, and homemade cookies. The eatery will include music listening stations, newspaper reading stations and free Wi-fi.
“I’m really looking forward to making something my own and putting my own stamp on it,” Bailey said. “I think it’s something that will be beneficial to Matthews. It’s not your typical restaurant – it’s a casual, fun place with bright colors. There’s nothing else really like it.”
The Baileys are planning to launch a second Which Wich in Davidson about nine months after the Matthews shop opens and are planning for a location in the University City area.
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