A new Subway opened on the corner of St. Paul and 33rd Street on July 26.
Jerry Smith, who owns the St. Paul branch, said the business has been steady since the branch opened. He is encouraged by sales thus far, and he feels confident that they will increase.
"As the school year starts up again, business will probably pick up," said Smith.
He estimated that Hopkins students account for approximately 25 to 40 percent of business, and Subway began accepting J-CASH on August 30.
Customers seem very satisfied with the new restaurant. Sophomore Trevor Bradshaw had only praise for the restaurant.
"It's better than fast food," said Bradshaw. "It tastes better and is better for you."
Smith said that Subway has become popular in the community because it is low in fat. Students can "go to sleep, even if they eat it late at night," he said.
With the academic year approaching, Smith believes that Subway will expand its hours until 3 a.m. three to four times a week. The other nights it will close at its regular time, which is midnight.
Smith feels that Subway's system, in which sandwiches are made in an assembly-line fashion, ensures efficiency and minimizes customer-wait time.
Among the most popular of the sandwiches on the menu are the sweet onion chicken teriyaki and the Southwest turkey and bacon, according to Smith. He also stated that the wheat bread and honey oat are the most popular choices of bread. Thus far, the feedback that Smith has gotten from customers and the community has only been good.
"[Customers like] being able to see the bread baked in front of them," said Smith. "They can tell that the vegetables are fresh and cut daily."
Debby Altomonte, who works in the neighborhood, loves the new Subway.
"It's quick and it tastes good," she said. "I can sit here and relax while I eat in-between meetings.
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