By Tyra Jackson

The Selma Times-Journal

Before officially opening Wednesday morning, the new Subway in Valley Grande held a “soft” opening Tuesday night.

Joy Payne owns the franchise as well as all the Subways in Selma.

“Since I’m already the [owner of] existing franchisee in this area, they gave me first choice. So, my son and I came down in October and looked at the location,” Payne said. “We said we’re opening a store here for sure.”

Payne said she has heard nothing but compliments about the location.

Most people are excited we’re here,” she said.

Tom Lee is the contractor and owner of Valley Grande Market Shopping Center.

“This is sort of a dream because when you have space like this with multiple tenants, you hope to attract the most successful. We’ve been able to do that.”

The Valley Grande store has a new modern design that’s one of the first in the nation.

The restaurant will start with about 10 employees and hopes to add more, said district manager Martin Stewart.

“I hired everyone I could from Valley Grande. So it’s a hometown store. This is Valley Grande. That is Selma,” he said. “It’s not that we’re in competition with each other. It’s just complimentary to one another.”