City Buying Moore's Sub Shop

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City Buying Moore's Sub Shop

By Brian Franks
Signal Business Editor

Thursday, August 18, 2005

he city of Santa Clarita could soon be in the business of making submarine sandwiches.
    Santa Clarita has purchased the recently vacant Moore's Submarine Sandwiches on San Fernando Road in Newhall for $760,000. The city closed escrow on the deal Aug. 26.
    The purchase is part of the city's plan to invigorate downtown Newhall. City planners are weighing the options of one day building a library or museum on the site.
    Until then, the city is considering finding someone to operate the shop on its behalf, said Paul D. Brotzman, the city's director of Planning and Economic Development.
    "Our intent is not to have another vacant business in downtown Newhall," Brotzman said Wednesday.
    Planners are working to determine whether the submarine sandwich shop would generate a financial return for the city. Prior to reopening, the city would have to receive a handful of licenses and permits to operate the restaurant.
    If everything goes smoothly, Brotzman said the sandwich shop could be reopened in 30 to 90 days.
    Moore's Submarine Sandwiches' owner, Mariann Moore, closed the restaurant last week for undisclosed reasons, after nearly 33 years in business. A.J. Moore, Mariann's father-in-law, started the business in 1972. It was the first submarine shop in the Santa Clarita Valley.
    In the 1990s, A.J.'s son Eugene took over the business. Nine years later, Eugene's wife, Mariann, assumed control of the eatery when A.J. and Eugene were both diagnosed with cancer.
    Moore's Submarine Sandwiches is the city's second purchase in downtown Newhall.
    The city also is working to buy a long-vacant gas station in the area for $845,000.
    The gas station purchase is pending certification that the land is environmentally clean. The station is located at the intersection of Lyons Avenue and San Fernando Road.
    Once the city purchases the two properties, Brotzman said they are set to be transferred to the Santa Clarita Redevelopment Agency, which is awaiting a specific plan.
    The draft specific plan for downtown Newhall is scheduled to have its first review by the City Council on Sept. 13. The plan, which could be adopted in early October, strives to offer an economic boost to the downtown area.