Meet the new Subway owners

Excited: Imran Akram, left, & brother, Limar Ahmad.

By Marcus Day Maple Creek News

Give a warm welcome to brothers Imran Akram and Limar Ahmad, new owners of Maple Creek’s Subway gas and convenience store.

The pair sold their Subway business in Toronto to start a new life in Saskatchewan, and so far they couldn’t be happier.

“I like the town,” said Imran, the older brother, on Tuesday.

“I like living in a place where there is a lot less traffic.”

The brothers intend to invest heavily in their new business at 744 Pacific Avenue, which will mean renovating the premises, expanding its inventory, adding grocery items and snacks, and selling pizzas.

It should lead to extra jobs.

There are also plans to stay open later hours and give the store a strong online presence.

“Our gas prices will match the Co-op,” said Imran. “Right now we are two cents cheaper than the Co-op.”

Repairs will be carried out to gas pumps that have been out of order.

“I am going to have more signs about being open for gas. And next month when the pumps are fixed, there will be free coffee all day long for the people who come here and fill up with gas, or come into the store. It will be a promotion until March – two months.

“There will also be a big promotion for the Subway store.”

The brothers’ acquisition is the latest in a series of ownership changes at high-profile Maple Creek businesses.

Over the last few months, Murray Chev, Maple Creek Motor Inn (often known as Jack’s Hotel), Willowbend  Hotel, and Triple 7 Car Wash have been sold.

Murray Chev, formerly owned by Murray Auto Group, was bought by Moose Jaw-headquartered Velocity Auto Group, and Triple 7 Car Wash, previously run by Jacci Migowsky, was acquired by Jason Lee, owner of Home Hardware on Jasper Street.

Gurmeen Kang – who goes by “Gurie” – and husband, Hardeep have taken over Maple Creek Motor Inn, while Gurie’s sister-in-law, Vera Sohi, is now running the Willowbend Hotel at 108 Maple Street with husband, Daljit.

In addition, there have been changes at the Jasper Lounge & Liquor Store. Jose Paul Sabu – better known as JP – and Abhijith Sudhakaran are managing the tavern. JP is general manager, Abhi is operations manager. It means the Janzen brothers, Richard and Ron, although still the owners, are more in the background.

The Subway deal was finalized on Monday. The previous owner, Han Seung Yun, and his family have been in Maple Creek for many years. His son, who helped run the business, has already relocated to Vancouver.

Imran and Limar, who hail originally from Pakistan, but are now Canadian citizens, went on several scouting missions to Maple Creek before deciding to move from Toronto.

“We are happy and excited, and hope the people in Maple Creek welcome us,” said Imran.