BETHLEHEM, Pa. – A popular chain, known for its “freaky fresh” sandwiches, will host a grand opening of its new location in Bethlehem this weekend.
A new location of Jimmy John’s, a quick-service brand offering a wide array of freshly prepared sandwiches, will hold a grand opening event 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 18 at 3219-A Schoenersville Road, according to franchise owner Abe Stity.
Ryan Kneller
Individuals attending the grand opening will be able to enjoy discounted, 8-inch Original sandwiches, priced at $3.99 each.
Jimmy John’s Original sandwiches include The Pepe (ham, provolone, lettuce, tomato and mayo), Big John (roast beef, lettuce, tomato and mayo), Totally Tuna (tuna salad, cucumber, lettuce and tomato), Turkey Tom (turkey, lettuce, tomato and mayo), Vito (salami, capocollo, provolone, onion, oil and vinegar) and The Veggie (double provolone, avocado spread, cucumber, lettuce, tomato and mayo).
The grand opening event also will feature free gifts, including Jimmy John’s hats, T-shirts, bags and water bottles, while supplies last.
The Bethlehem fast-casual eatery occupies a renovated space that previously housed A1 Steak House II in the Schoenersville Centre.
A new Jimmy John’s location operates at 3219-A Schoenersville Road in Bethlehem.
Ryan Kneller
Restaurant hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.
Stity is operating the Bethlehem restaurant with his uncle, Gus Dayoub. The pair hopes to open another Jimmy John’s location in the Lehigh Valley within a year, Stity said.
Jimmy John’s, with more than 2,600 locations across the country, previously operated in the Lehigh Valley.
A location on Mill Creek Road closed in 2018, and a location on William Penn Highway in Palmer Township closed in 2021, leaving the chain with no Lehigh Valley presence for more than three years.
More than two dozen other Jimmy John’s locations operate in Pennsylvania, including regional outposts in Lancaster and Philadelphia, according to the company’s website.
Jimmy John’s was established in 1983 by Jimmy John Liautaud in the college town of Charleston, Illinois, according to the business’ website.
“As a means of survival, Jimmy began hand delivering tasty sandwiches to students at Eastern Illinois University, and from there, grew the business into what it is today,” the online description continues.
Ryan Kneller
Jimmy John’s French bread and 9-grain wheat bread is baked all day, every day and served less than four hours out of the oven.
Provolone cheese and premium meats, including genoa salami, capocollo, roast beef, turkey and ham, are sliced fresh daily in-store.
Workers also hand-slice produce, including lettuce, tomato, cucumber, onion and celery, daily in every store.
“Fresh food made from scratch is just how we roll,” a message on the business’ website reads.
“The flavor of a ripe tomato and crisp shredded lettuce, combined with fresh-baked bread, fresh-sliced meat, and real Hellmann’s mayo – that’s when the magic happens.”
Jimmy John’s customers can choose from a wide array of sandwiches, including the Beach Club (turkey, provolone, avocado spread, cucumber, lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise), Italian Night Club (salami, capocollo, smoked ham, provolone, onion, lettuce, tomato, mayo, oil and vinegar and oregano-basil) and Ultimate Porker (smoked ham and applewood smoked bacon, lettuce, tomato and mayo), served on their choice of 8- or 16-inch French bread, thick-sliced wheat bread or as a lettuce-wrapped “Unwich.”
Ryan Kneller
Other menu highlights include sides such as homestyle potato salad, pesto bowtie pasta salad, chips and dill pickles; and desserts such as fudge chocolate brownies and chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin and red velvet cookies.
In October 2019, Jimmy John’s was acquired by Inspire Brands, a multi-brand restaurant company whose portfolio also includes Arby’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, Dunkin’, SONIC Drive-In and Rusty Taco.
The Bethlehem location of Jimmy John’s operates in the Schoenersville Centre, which also is home to other food and drink spots such as Moe’s Southwest Grill, Saladworks, Starbucks and Haaz’s.
A new location of Manhattan Bagel, a chain of New York-style bagel shops that also offer made-to-order breakfast and lunch sandwiches, sweet treats, specialty coffee drinks and more, opened in the Schoenersville Centre in July.
The new Jimmy John’s location offers seating for around 12 guests, and takeout and catering are also available.