Neighboring eateries have a beef over issue of competition

Source: Detroit Free Press
The owners of a Subway sandwich shop and a neighboring vegetarian eatery in Grosse Pointe Farms have beefs about whether the two are competitors.

The owners of the Subway have filed a lawsuit in Wayne County Circuit Court, claiming that its landlord violated the terms of its lease by renting space to Atom's Juice Cafe, a vegetarian restaurant that serves no animal products. The two are a few doors apart along Fisher across from Grosse Pointe South High School.

The Subway owners, who could not be reached for comment Monday, have said it was their understanding that Atom's would only serve juices, teas and fruit smoothies. But Atom's also serves meatless sandwiches, soy and tofu creations, soups and dairy-free cookies. To the Subway folks, sandwiches, snacks and drinks are the same thing and that means competition.

John and Dave Chetcuti, who own Atom's, said that's nonsense. They have two different customer bases, the brothers said.

"Vegetarians have a much stricter diet," John Chetcuti said Monday. "Our customers come from all over the area and they tell us that they pass four, five, six Subways coming to our place."

The two sides, along with the landlord, are to talk turkey at a meeting next month. An attorney representing the landlord could not be reached for comment.
Source: Detroit Free Press