Riverside to get TCBY & 'upscale' Subway

[blizz01]

Well, sort of....(Inside St. Vincent's).

From Gary Mills @ the TU:

Subway Cafe, an upscale version of the world's largest restaurant chain, has plans to open at least one, perhaps two, of the new cafes in Jacksonville in the coming months.

St. Vincent's Healthcare recently announced in an employee newsletter that the new concept would open later this summer at St. Vincent’s Medical Center Riverside, in the former Seton Pharmacy spot near Dillon Cafeteria on the first floor of the Dillon Building.

A building permit currently in review shows the planned 1,211 square-foot Subway Cafe has a projected cost of $108,000.

Subway Cafes feature the chains familiar sub sandwich menu plus a complete line of premium espresso-based beverages from Seattle's Best, including lattes, mochas and cappuccinos, as well as teas, hot cocoa, frozen drinks and more.

Additionally, the cafes offer baked goods and even salads at some locations, according to QSRWeb.com, a restaurant industry trade site.

According to Subway, the restaurants’ upgraded interiors include slate tile wall accents, richer wood and paint finishes (in deep reds, greens and slate colors), stainless steel signage, etched cityscape wall panels, pendant lighting, and watercolor wall art.

Think Subway meets Starbucks.

Subway Cafe debuted in 2008 in Alexandria, Va., and has grown to 70 locations today, with another 10 in development, according to a Subway spokesperson.

The company targets non-traditional locations, including airports, convention centers, college campuses, hotels, stadiums, hospitals and more, for the new concept.

A potential second Subway Cafe location is planned for the Brooks Family YMCA on Jacksonville’s Southside. Subway’s website lists the gym’s 10423 Centurion Parkway address as a future location. The restaurant would replace Crave All Natural Foods, which recently closed. A message left with the YMCA branch was not immediately returned.

Joining Subway Café at St. Vincent’s in Riverside will be Northeast Florida’s fifth TCBY. According to the company, Tommy Douglas, who already owns and operates three TCBY locations in the Jacksonville area, plans to open one of the self-serve frozen yogurt stores at the hospital complex in the coming months.

Since August 2011, Douglas has opened TCBY restaurants in Neptune Beach, Orange Park and South Jacksonville at the Shoppes of Bartram Park.

Subway Café won’t be the first fast-food restaurant chain to open in a Jacksonville hospital. In summer 2010, Chick-fil-A opened at Baptist Medical Center on the Southbank, offering a smaller menu than that found at Chick-fil-A’s traditional standalone restaurants.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/423471/gary-mills/2013-06-18/new-concept-subway-cafe-tcby-coming-jacksonville-hospital

[Jason]

Sounds like a winner to me.

[TheCat]

[TheCat]

I love how not making people feel like they are ordering food in a bathroom is now considered "upscale".

[edjax]

I believe it is being called an upscale Subway not an upscale restaurant.   How about a nicer Subway.  That work for you??

[TheCat]

I believe it is being called an upscale Subway not an upscale restaurant.   How about a nicer Subway.  That work for you??

Suddenly, I feel peaceful.   

[edjax]

A good place to be.