Exterior signs have been installed for a new Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwich Shop on the first floor of the Iowa Building at 411 Third St. SE in downtown Cedar Rapids. The 2,200-square-foot restaurant will offer dine-in, carryout, delivery and catering. (George C. Ford/The Gazette-KCRG)

Employees of Nesper Sign Co. were busy Thursday installing exterior signs for a Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwich Shop in downtown Cedar Rapids.

Jimmy John’s is known for its quick service and fresh ingredients. The 2,200-square-foot restaurant on the first floor of the Iowa Building at 411 Third St. SE will be one of the largest Jimmy John’s locations in the Corridor.

Marc Motzer, who with T.J. Graber owns Jimmy John’s locations in Cedar Rapids, Cedar Falls and Waterloo, on Thursday said he is not able to provide an opening date due to some construction issues.

In late February, Motzer said a typical Jimmy John’s is about 1,500 square feet. The downtown store will have seating capacity for between 55 and 60 and also offer delivery service for a nominal fee.

Catering also will be available.

Motzer said the newest Jimmy John’s will employ three full-time managers and some 50 part-time employees. He said lunch hour traffic probably will require 20 employees to handle the volume and delivery.

Motzer said several factors appealed to the partners as they considered where to locate a Jimmy John’s downtown.

“The price was right for that spot, the size was right, and it is very visible for walk-in traffic as well as being centrally located for delivery to all areas of downtown Cedar Rapids,” Motzer said. “We became convinced that we needed to act now to get our foot in the door before the new federal courthouse, public library, events center and Paramount Theatre are completed and open to the public.”