Stillman partner in new Firehouse Subs shop
FormerNHLerandPeterborough Petes Cory Stillman has opened a restaurant in the city’s west end.
Stillman and his business partner Jason Taylor opened Firehouse Subs on Lansdowne St. W. Monday. It’s located in Byersville Creek Plaza, near The Parkway.
The shop sub is the third franchise for the duo. They opened one in Ajax in April and one in Whitby – Taylor’s hometown – last December.
They hired 36 staff for Peterborough’s location. Employees fill both part-time and full-time positions.
After retiring from a 17-year NHL career in 2011, where Stillman helped win two Stanley Cups (one with Carolina Hurricanes, the other with Tampa Bay Lightning), the Peterborough native was ready for something new.
So he teamed up with his friend Taylor, a veteran in the restaurant industry, to open an eatery. In the end, the pair signed on to open five Firehouses. They’re now looking into setting up shop in Kingston and Belleville, too.
Although there was already a great selection of restaurants in Peterborough, Stillman said, there wasn’t anything like Firehouse in his hometown, which made it a perfect fit.
“We decided we could something different that people hadn’t experienced,” said Stillman, 43, who is the head coach of the Ontario Hockey League’s Sudbury Wolves.
Firehouse Subs was founded 20 years ago by two brothers who were also firefighters. There are now 1,090 Firehouses across North America, Mexico and Puerto Rico.
Along with serving hot subs, the eateries also support first responders through the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation. Donations collected onsite support local fire and police departments in purchases any need lifesaving equipment.
The Peterborough location is the 13th Firehouse in Canada. And like all the others, it carries a firefighting décor, which was donated by Peterborough Fire Services.
Bunker gear hangs on the walls alongside an axe, helmets and black and white photos from the department’s archives.
Each Firehouse also showcases a mural, representing elements of the city it’s in. A large painting of the Peterborough Lift Lock with Stillman in his Petes jersey and Len Power in his Peterborough Lakers sweater hangs inside the city’s eatery.
With people eager to check out the new spot, a steady stream of customers filled the restaurant from open to close.
“It’s been crazy how well it’s been received,” said Taylor, 46.