North Texas Daily

Linda Kessler / Staff Writer

After a short two-year stay, the Subway on the Square has closed its doors.

The restaurant dealt with obstacles from competition, including the two additional Subways within minutes of campus, to community resistance with many members of the Denton community saying a chain restaurant does not have a place on the Square.

“The Square is supposed to be a historic mark of Denton,” visual arts and design freshman Breana Haag said. “And to my knowledge some of the other shops have been around for a long time so it feels disingenuous having chains set up there.”

Haag said she would prefer to see more locally owned restaurants on the Square and her sentiments have been reflected by some local business owners.

“I think a lot of people are going to be glad it’s gone,” Abbey Inn co-owner Dalma Simmons said. “The whole point of the Square is [having] family owned and operated businesses, not national chains. Having national chains messes with the ambiance of the Square.”

The Abbey Inn’s other co-owner Jeremy Brand said it’s important to have areas where people can experience unique businesses because as there are more places where people can have that experience, it creates its own advertisement.

“I think that a lot of the customers on the Square are either local or they come to the Square specifically for a different experience,” Brand said.

Subway on the Square closes its doors after two years. The location of sub restaurant was a hot button issue with residents since it first opened.

The Subway has been the source of controversy since it first came to the Square in February 2013. Now that it is moving out, some are hopeful of what’s to come.

Psychology senior Cristal Aldrete said although she didn’t know the Subway had closed and it is unfortunate some people had to lose their jobs, she anticipates something new going in its place.

“Honestly I’m not a huge fan [of chains],” Aldrete said. “Since it’s a historic place I prefer more mom-and-pop places.”

Brand said as far as competition on the Square goes, he’s all for it, just as long as it’s fair.

“I feel that a lot of the “big box” competitors use their superior buying power to edge out local competitors,” Brand said. “I think if we left it up to big chains, they would have the same restaurants on every…. oops too late.”

There was speculation from residents and UNT students alike that having these chain restaurants move in can alter the impression of the historic Denton Square.

“I think big business in general has a way of destroying local culture,” psychology freshman Ian Farrell said. “I’d prefer to support smaller businesses.”

Many people in the community echoed these sentiments and seem relieved that the Subway, and all that it represents, has at last left the Square.

Featured Image: After opening its doors in 2013, the Subway restaurant on the Square closed its doors on Jan. 30. Many Dentonites were upset that the large chain operated in such a prime spot in the first place. Photos by Devin Dakota – Staff Photographer