Customers stood in line along North Jefferson Street for over a half block in the pouring rain to buy a Miller’s hoagie for just sixty cents yesterday. (photo submitted by Charles Zimmerman III)
Owner Rhonda Petras thought that she would celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Miller’s Hoagies local sandwich chain with a sale - just sixty cents for a hoagie… the price they were back in 1957.
However, she underestimated the customer turnout on a day that was plagued by heavy rain and even sleet.
In Kittanning, the line extended from her North Jefferson Street location for over one-half block and onto Arch Street. The same thing happened in Ford City as customers stood with umbrellas, rain coats, and plastic parkas. Elderton experienced traffic jams as vehicles attempted to find a parking space, some parking along Route 422.
According to several customers who stood in line from the beginning of the sale at 4PM, supplies dwindled and the last hoagie bun was sliced within just under two hours of the three hour sale.
Most customers ordered the maximum six hoagies allowed during the sale.
Petras said that only four versions of the original hoagie was sold - everything, no hot, no onion, and just meat and cheese. Also no credit cards (cash only) or phone orders were taken during this time.
Petras said she is considering other “insane specials” throughout the year.
Petras is only the third owner of the Miller’s Hoagies brand during the 60 years of existence.
Ford City customers used umbrellas and plastic parkas as they braved the rain and cold to get a Miller’s hoagie. The line stretched from 9th Street down Fourth Avenue past the post office. (photo submitted by Henry Forringer)