Hungry students, residents of the Northwestern Lehigh area and travelers along Route 309 in New Tripoli can satisfy their sandwich cravings at Subway, in the New Tripoli Plaza, 6391 Route 309.

The shop was recently purchased by Chirag Patel.

Patel, formerly of Toronto, Canada, and Martinsburg, W.Va., said he chose the New Tripoli location when he visited his cousin Kinjal Patel.

"This is a developing and upcoming area to do business in," Patel said.

Patel, who lives with his wife, Snehal, in Breinigsville owns another Subway, across from The Crayola Factory, Easton.

"In 2010, I decided to buy a business and was searching for one to buy," Patel said. "Both my father and uncle were in the hotel/motel industry, but I decided to go into the retail business.

"I was very interested in purchasing a Subway after talking to my friend in New Jersey who is a franchisee."

Patel said his plan is to improve the business and make the Subway a family-oriented restaurant.

"[A place] where everybody is treated like a friend or family member," Patel said. "My goal is to keep everyone happy who walks through the doors of this restaurant. We do not want anyone to walk away unhappy with their service."

One of his goals is to provide Wi-Fi and a flat screen television for his customers.

"I want all the students to come back to the restaurant anytime throughout the day," Patel said. "I want this to be a kid-friendly environment.

"All nine employees came with the restaurant. They are a great staff. They are great kids to be around."

Patel, who attended Martinsburg High School and West Virginia University earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in business management.

When he was in high school, Patel worked for Fazoli's Italian Restaurant, Taco Bell and Hatfield Restaurant in the Holiday Inn in Martinsburg.

His father, Bipin, moved from India to Canada for an engineering job in 1972, but soon started his own business.

"After my father was in Canada for 11 years and worked three jobs, he moved the family to Columbus, Ohio in 1984," Patel said. "We lived there until 1999, when we moved to Martinsburg, where my parents still live today," he said. "My sister, Dipti, who is married, has two kids and lives in Annapolis, Md."

"I am happy to be in this town," Patel said. "The people are so caring, kind and nice in this area."