Bagel sandwich shop ‘Sully’s Steamers’ coming to JC

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — A breakfast and lunch spot specializing in steamed bagel sandwiches, Sully’s Steamers, will open its first Tennessee location in the former Which Wich location in north Johnson City’s Hamilton Place.

A building permit was pulled May 3 for 1069 Hamilton Place for an estimated $100,000 worth of work renovating the existing restaurant space. Which Wich closed in December 2019.

Jeff and Laurel Jamieson-Wilson will operate the 12th overall location of the South Carolina-based restaurant, which opened its first location in Greenville, S.C. in 2013. Jeff Wilson said they hope to open by the end of July or the beginning of August.

The relatively simple menu features 31 bagel sandwich varieties, most stacked with meats and cheeses. The primary trademark is the steaming process, which the company’s website claims leaves the sandwiches “hot, melty and delicious.”

Wilson said he and his wife decided to inquire about a franchise after visiting Sully’s for the first time during a wedding anniversary trip to Greenville last winter. He said they kept noticing the restaurant was packed, and “were hooked” by the staff and the food. The restaurant uses a “fast casual” model, in which patrons order at the counter but staff bring the meal to the table.

“After a few bites, we looked at each other with the same thought,” Wilson said via email. “We need to bring this Hot Mess to Johnson City and share it with our community.” The website touts the slogan “I’m a hot mess.”

Sully’s website shows eight stores in South Carolina, two in North Carolina and one in Georgia.

Wilson said the store will be staffed with 5-10 full-time employees and approximately 20 employees overall, and added that the Wilsons “would like to have a second location near ETSU in the future.”

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