TRIADELPHIA — The need for construction employees and backed-up delivery times for needed equipment is delaying the opening of Jersey Mike’s at The Highlands.

Brian Taylor, operations manager for the Ohio County Development Authority, updated OCDA members this week on the project.

Initially, the restaurant was slated to open Nov. 22, but that isn’t likely to happen for at least another four weeks, he said. The general constructor for the project has been asking the OCDA for use of some of their employees on occasion, according to Taylor.

“They’ve had some COVID issues, and they’ve only got two or three guys there,” Taylor said. “He has asked me twice in the last week if I could get him some assistance and get the project moving.

“We’ll be lucky if we see them open before Christmas. They’re still having some issues getting materials — most notably the vent hoods for the kitchen.”

The signage is up on the Jersey Mikes building, which is located in Building 4 at The Highlands alongside the Xfinity Store, Starbucks and Chipotle.

The lease agreement between the OCDA and Jersey Mike’s was approved in June, and the OCDA turned over the building to the company on Oct. 29 after utility installation was complete. The sandwich franchise lists 2,022 shops open across the nation, with another 242 “coming soon,” according to its website.

There are presently eight Jersey Mike’s restaurants in West Virginia, with additional shops planned for The Highlands and in Martinsburg.