ELY – The Subway franchise here went up for sale last week, according to owner Vicki Hill, who posted the news on the “What’s Up Ely” Facebook page.

“The reasons are that in all likelihood my husband is retiring at the end of this year,” she wrote. “It would be nice to share this next chapter of our life together. I also am developing arthritis in my fingers making my job more painful.”

She added, “Just so everyone knows, I will continue to operate the Subway until a new owner takes over. This could take years.”

She said sales are thriving at the fast-food franchise, up from last year by as much as eight percent. “Having Shopko close has not affected us,” Hill said.

Small-town living seems to like gossip, Hill said, and before any rumors fly, she wanted to inform the community. Before she bought the franchise, the local Subway was for sale for four years. “It will probably take a long time for the right person to walk through the door and want to own and operate the Subway,” she said.

The Grand Marais Subway store just sold after two years on the market, she added. “I am under a lease agreement with corporate to keep the store open,” Hill noted. “I am prepared to continue to work for years. I’m just getting the word out now. I have to start sometime.”

If interested, visit Hill at the store. “There is paperwork to start the process with the development agent in St. Paul,” she said.