Jimmy John’s to return at former Medicap office

Jimmy John’s is coming back to Newton in a new location.

The “freaky fast” sandwich chain will be opening in the office building formerly occupied by Medicap Pharmacy at 400 First Ave. W. in Newton, across the street from city hall. Crews have been renovating the building for some time. When finished, it will offer dine-in, carry out, drive-thru and delivery meals to residents.

Frank Liebl, executive director of Newton Development Corporation, said the building is currently undergoing an extensive renovation to provide for enhanced drive-thru capabilities and other amenities. While Liebl was unsure exactly how long crews had been working on the remodel, they expect to be finished in April.

“Their plans now are to open sometime in the first two weeks of April,” Liebl said. “To my knowledge they’ve been working on this for a couple months on some minor things like getting all the contracts lined up and that type of thing. So in less than 30 days it should be open.”

Newton has been home to a Jimmy John’s sandwich shop in the past. It was located downtown on the west side of the square. In early 2020, employees announced in a notice taped to the door of the 117 W. Second St. N. business that they “made the very difficult decision to close.”

Officials at the time speculated the restaurant could not sustain itself, which is why it had to close. There was an attempt by the store manager at the time to purchase the franchise in hopes it would remain open. But this did not happen. The Jimmy John’s in downtown Newton originally opened in 2012.

When the former Medicap building was for sale, Liebl said he was looking for a different type of franchise to occupy the space but it did not pan out. However, he was told Jimmy John’s might be interested in coming back to Newton. Then a local realtor got involved with the franchisee to get the ball rolling.

Liebl said Jimmy John’s is looking forward to its return to Newton.

“I think the thing that’s going to help them out is having that drive-thru and delivery,” he said. “Plus this Jimmy John’s will also have some sit down options inside. Some of the newer Jimmy John’s they’re building in other communities are just a drive-thru and carry out only. This will have it all.”