Subway bigwigs personally attended the latest store opening at NAS. Pictured at left, from left: Trevis Joseph-Subway Development Director, Rear Admiral Townsend “Tim” Alexander, Commander of Navy Region Southeast, Mary St. Germain-Subway Assistant, Jeff & Michelle White-Subway Nexcom owners, Captain Thomas Lusher-Commander of the NAS, Jeffrey Morlier-Subway Director of Operations, Kim Stacom-Subway Field Consultant and Mary Spidahl-Subway District Director. Pictured right, a sea of fatigues take almost every seat at the newest location for Jeff and Michelle White.

During the recent Navy Commissary and Nexcom opening, Belle Chasse welcomed its’ third Subway franchise store, located within the Nexcom building. In addition to the many military dignitaries on hand for the recent commissary grand opening on February 8 at the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base, Subway had its’ own “dignitaries” present for another celebration of sorts. Owners Jeff and Michelle White, who operate the two existing Belle Chasse Subway locations, were surprised with the announcement from Subway Corporation at the opening that their Navy base location would be the 500th Subway store opened to date in the New Orleans/Baton Rouge market.

“This is a milestone for Subway corporation in this market and for us personally, to have been a part of the Subway brand since its’ first presence in Louisiana” says Jeff White.

This marks the White’s third Subway location. Jeff White started working with the Subway brand over twenty years ago when he worked with his family who actually opened the seventh Subway store in the New Orleans market. They opened the first location in Belle Chasse in 1995 and eventually expanded the business with a second Belle Chasse location inside the Texaco gas station in 2002.

“This store was opened right outside the Navy base gate rather than on the base because at the time we could not find a mutually agreeable site on the base” says Jeff. “In fact, the Navy base store has been an ongoing negotiation for nearly twelve years.”

“Our newest Subway location is accessible not only to the military and their families who visit the Nexcom, but also to any civilians who are visiting the Navy Base and any contractors working there. Some customers had been confused about the military-only rule for purchases at the Nex,” says Jeff, “but Subway is the only counter at the Nex where you don’t need a military ID to make a purchase.” The Subway has its’ own entrance to the left side of the Nexcom building and a customer can enter the Nexcom through the restaurant. The Navy base Subway is open seven days a week and offers a full menu of sandwiches, flatbreads and salads as well as all the breakfast items. With seating for 50, it can also accommodate a larger lunch/dinner crowd at one time than either of the other Belle Chasse locations. “We are glad to grow with our community and we are excited to finally more conveniently serve our military.”