Out of ruins, a new Primo Hoagies shop in Old City

Way back in November 2013, Pat McGovern and Dan Shoemaker went before Old City neighbors to explain their plans to convert a souvenir shop at 304 Market St. into a Primo Hoagies shop. They got a thumbs-up, and they got a yea during a hearing in January 2014 before the city zoning hearing board.

The opening is 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 25, when McGovern and Shoemaker will give away hoagies to the first 100 customers; the rest of the day, hoagies will be discounted to $6.99.

Why has it taken more than two years?

McGovern, who also co-owns the Primo's location at 11th and Sansom Streets, explains that on April 9, 2014, shortly after construction had begun, he was in his car listening to Preston & Steve when during the traffic report, Kathy Romano announced, "Market Street is closed between Third and Fourth Streets due to fire department activity.' "

"I immediately pulled over and called my wife in a panic and asked her to turn on the news to see what was happening," McGovern said. "As I was on the phone with her, I received a call from my contractor, letting me know he was standing outside, watching the building next door, the Suit Corner, become engulfed in flames."

The fire then gutted the hoagie shop, as well.

McGovern said it took months just to gain access to the building. Less than a month before the fire, the Shirt Corner across the street at Third and Market Streets collapsed during demolition, and the city was still reeling from the collapse of the Salvation Army store. The city Department of Licenses and Inspections had stepped up reviews.

The Suit Corner and the Primo's building were "sister buildings" sharing structural features, including joists. It took plenty of time to raze the Suit Corner building and rebuild the hoagie shop, which is next door to Fork restaurant.

McGovern got another scare just two weeks ago - 20 months to the day of the fire. He was listening to the car radio when he heard a report that Market Street was closed between Third and Fourth Streets due to fire department activity.

Turns out, it was a worker trapped in the sidewalk down the street from the hoagie shop. (He should stop listening to the radio.)

"The good news is that both and he and us look like we are going to be fine," McGovern said.