Another Jersey Mike's opens on Randall Road

Now it's not just the folks near the northern end of the Randall Road corridor that get to enjoy a good Jersey Mike's Sub.

A new Jersey Mikes opened early this month along Randall Road in Geneva.

It's the second Randall Road location for Jersey Mikes, and the ninth spot in Illinois. The other Randall Road spot opened last month in Lake in the Hills.

Owner of the Geneva locale, Jim Shipman, said he lives in the Tri-Cities, and wanted to open a Jersey Mike's close by.

"This is such a great product, I decided this was it, and I wanted to be in a community that I live in. And I wanted to be able to work with the community to do fundraisers and give back in some way," Shipman said.

Shipman said he's hoping to raise at least $2,000 for the Boosters at Geneva High School through his first fundraising effort. He passed out about 1,000 coupons for free subs to area high school students, and about 1,000 in the local business community. Anyone who brings the coupons in, will get a free sub when they donate $1. All of the donations will go to the high school Boosters.

"We're on pace to generate between $2,000 and $2,500 for them," he said.

Shipman is hoping that once his customers try the subs at Jersey Mike's, where the meat is sliced right in front of them when they order their sandwich, they'll keep coming back.

Many have already stopped in saying they grew up in New Jersey or other parts of the country where there is a Jersey Mike's, and they're glad one finally opened nearby, Shipman said.

New customers also are finding the business now, which is at 1770 S. Randall, and already becoming fans, he said.

Shipman was in the fast food franchise business for about 25 years, he said, as the owner of several Domino's Pizzas locations. He sold all of those businesses, and was out of the fast food business until he heard about Jersey Mike's.

"I just saw the quality of the product and the brand loyalty and the way we deliver the product. It's second to none," Shipman said. "After I looked at it, I decided, this is for me.

"I hope everyone will try it," he said.

Arts and crafts fair: Algonquin Commons is hosting an arts and crafts fair this weekend.

The event will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday in the center of the mall parking lot. The Summertime Arts and Crafts Faire, which is returning for a second year, will feature only handmade arts and crafts. It will feature original artists and crafters from around the state showing their jewelry, purses, lamps, soaps, clothing, woods, doll clothing, pet gifts, wedding accessories and more.

• Amy Williams' column covers all the news of business along the Randall Road corridor from Batavia to Crystal Lake. Contact her at randallbiz@comcast.net or (847) 894-5036.