Subway franchise to open as part of a business development on M-68
Members of the Onaway City Commission approved a site plan presented by LeCureux Masonry which will bring a Subway Restaurant and a new car wash to the city.
Larry and Karen LeCureux were in attendance at Monday?s commission meeting to present architectural drawings for the 7,000 square foot facility near the western city limits. The development will be located on the north side of M-68 between Wisconsin Homes and Onaway Storage.
LeCureux anticipates breaking ground in April and having the restaurant portion of the building open by the Fourth of the July, so it will be ready for the traditional holiday celebration in the Sturgeon Capital.
Lee Ann and Mike Neelis, who are the proprietors of the 211 at Black Lake, will own and operate the Subway franchise.
Lee Ann Neelis, who is the Onaway Area Chamber of Commerce president, said they had been looking at different locations in Onaway, but ultimately decided to be a part of LeCureux?s development. She said ?Larry came to us and this was the best possible location.?
There had been a proposal by a local businessman interested in opening a Subway, but the plan never got off the ground.
The Subway restaurant chain has again been ranked the number one franchise opportunity in Entrepreneur magazine?s 27th Annual ?Franchise 500? rankings for the 14th time in 18 years.
?I THINK IT is going to go over really good, with the combination of the two,? said LeCureux.
The car wash will accommodate semi-trucks and RVs, along with vehicles. There will be an automatic car wash as well as bays for people to clean their vehicles themselves. The car wash facility may not be ready until the end of August.
Another section of the building will be for office space. Before the unanimous vote of the three commission members in attendance, city manager Joe Hefele reminded the board ?that this is an exciting project for the community,? and also expressed his gratitude to the LeCureuxs for investing in Onaway.
?The city has been very good to us,? LeCur
Most of the hurdles had to be cleared through the Michigan Department of Transportation. Mayor Gary Wregglesworth said the city commission would do whatever they can within in their means to promote a prospective business development.
?I don?t think people ever realize until they come here, but this board is pro growth,? he said. ?We will do whatever we can within our means to help anyone. All they have to do is come here and ask.
?I don?t know if it is the perception out there with people. Anytime anybody is going to come to us and propose something that is going to better the town, we?ll do whatever we have to do to get it done.?