By Heather Graves
Editor
HOBART – Growing up visiting her family’s cabin in Iron River, Michigan, stopping for a quick bite or an ice cream cone at Scott’s Subs was something Heather Leonard said she did quite often.
“We’ve been going there for years, eating their amazing stuff, pizzas and ice cream, and so it just made sense that this neighborhood needed something like that,” she said.
A resident of Hobart for the past 15 years, Leonard and business partner Christopher Skokan said they’ve witnessed first hand the growth the village has seen overall.
“I have seen the growth right across my street, from a farm field to this amazing downtown center and wonderful community of homes and other residences,” she said. “We’ve seen the potential for a long time for different businesses to come here.”
Leonard said the process to get here started two years ago, and it is finally nearing its end – with the opening of Scott’s Subs at 550 Centennial Centre Blvd. in the Village of Hobart.
Leonard said there were challenges along the way because of COVID-19, as far as worrying about opening a business in the pandemic environment.
“But luckily, things have gotten a lot better since then for us and for restaurants,” she said. “So, I’m hoping we’re past all of that.
She said it was also challenging at times because she’s never done anything like this before.
“So, obviously, everything was new to us,” she said.
A Scott’s Subs franchise
Initially, she said the original Scott’s Subs owners in Iron River weren’t interested in franchising the restaurant.
However, after another interested party in east Green Bay expressed interest in opening a Scott’s Subs location as well, the owners went forward with offering franchises.
“Because of the interest they did develop a franchise, and so we did buy into that franchise,” Leonard said.
She said what sets Scott’s Subs apart from other quick service options is that it is a family-run business.
“It’s such a unique environment in that it is family run, and that’s how all the owners want all franchises – they want to have the owners actually work in a restaurant,” she said. “So, I think that’s one of the biggest aspects that’s unique, as well as their recipes – they’re all original to their family, and they’re sharing that with the franchises, which I think is pretty amazing.”
Leonard said the Hobart community has been waiting for an establishment like Scott’s Subs for a long time versus all the fast food restaurants you can get on every block.
“It’s definitely unique in that way,” she said. “We make our own original bread every morning, we bake it right there. And in the fall and winter, a lot of people don’t know it, but Scott’s Subs makes a chicken dumpling soup, which is our homemade family recipe.”
Leonard said the community reaction for the upcoming opening of the restaurant has been overwhelmingly positive.
“I get several text messages a day asking when we’re going to be open from different people,” she said. “When we’ve been working in the shop, getting it ready over the last month, we have people peering in the windows, walking in asking when we’re going to be open, they’re just so excited to have another place to gather with their family and have other food options.”
Leonard said as of right now, she is planning for a potential soft opening for friends and family next week, with the grand opening to the public set for July 26.
She said the grand opening could include a ribbon cutting.
“I have to get ahold of the village,” she said. “I think it would be kind of special just because of how long this process has been for us.”
Leonard said the Hobart Scott’s Subs location is looking forward to getting involved in the community.
“I hope that we develop good relationships with the community,” she said. “We’d love to do sponsorships and partnerships with schools and different sports. You know, just provide a safe, clean environment for families to hang out where they feel comfortable and provide great food and atmosphere.”