Subway, Blue Coast Real Estate hold grand openings

The Subway in the Antique Mall in downtown Delray Beach held its grand opening Thursday. From left, Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce President Mike Malone, Sharon and Keith Bebout and Delray Beach Mayor Woodie McDuffie.

DELRAY BEACH — Thursday was a busy day for Mayor Woodie McDuffie, Chamber  of Commerce President Mike Malone and the ceremonial ribbon and oversized scissors used to christen nascent enterprises.

The Subway sandwich shop in the Antique Mall on Atlantic Avenue in downtown Delray and Blue Coast Real Estate, up a few blocks at 110 East Atlantic Plaza officially opened for business.

Subway owner Keith Bebout is no stranger to Delray, owning the Subway shop across the street from the South County Courthouse on West Atlantic. His roots go deep: his grandfather was a founding member of the local board of real estate and the First Federal Savings and Loan of Delray Beach. He is a graduate of Boca Raton High School.

His career has been in — and out — of the restaurant business since his college days. He worked in a steakhouse, then in his father’s insurance business, then into Jon Smith Subs, Cash America before becoming general manager for a Subway franchise owner.

“I keep reincarnating myself,” Bebout says.

Two years ago, he bought the store across from the courthouse. The rest, as they say, is history.

It takes a lot to make a restaurant work: good food, good service, the right price. And location. Bebout likes his location, smack in the heart of Delray’s downtown.

“I think once the season hits, we’re going to be extremely busy,” Bebout says.

From left, Jane Ehrhart of Blue Coast Real Estate, Blue Coast owner Charles Andrews; Amy Ames of Blue Coast Real; Mayor Woodie McDuffie; Josh Waugh of Blue Coast; Chamber President and CEO Mike Malone.

(Photos by Rich Pollack, Pollack Communications0