Todd Cameron wants everyone to know Urban Coffee isn’t closing.
The sign plastered to the shop’s front window at the Olentangy Valley Plaza in Columbus may declare “Opening Soon: Subway,” but it doesn’t mean the ubiquitous sandwich chain is muscling out the cafe. Rather, the two businesses will share the 2,800-square-foot storefront in a venture that is the first for a Subway in Ohio and is drawing the attention of top executives at Doctor’s Associates Inc., the franchiser of all Subway shops.
Cameron, former president of the Fitch:RPA retail design agency, and partner David Johnson, who secured a Subway franchise last year, were waiting for a spot at the shopping center near the Worthington Hills Country Club, when the year-old Urban Coffee operation went up for sale.
“We didn’t want to be in the coffee business,” Cameron said. “You realize you’re paying for a space you only utilize between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. Seventy-five percent of our (coffee) business is done by 10 a.m.”
But after examining the space, the duo reconsidered, realizing they also had room for their Subway franchise.
“We thought the space was too big just for coffee,” Cameron said.
Cameron said the idea was met with skepticism by Subway executives, but they reconsidered after hearing more details and seeing the space.
Renovations to accommodate the sub shop could be ready this month.
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