Subway turning 25 in the Mat-Su Valley

WASILLA— Al Haynes, the owner of all seven Subway sandwich shop locations in the Valley locations wants to celebrate his 25 years woven into the Alaskan community he loves to live in.

“As soon as I landed in 1980, I just fell in love with the state and decided this is where I needed to be,” Haynes said.

Steve Adams brought Subway to Alaska 30 years ago, on the same anniversary as his partner, Haynes is celebrating his 25 year presence in the Mat-Su Valley.

“It’s a big year,” Dee Buchanon, Alaska Statewide Director of Marketing for Subway Development, Inc. said.

Haynes said that once he was able to get out of debt, he started giving back to the community. He said that he’s donated most of the current scoreboards for Little Leagues across the Valley.

Buchanon said that Haynes was one of the main people who brought Pond Hockey to the Valley several years ago. Haynes is still heavily involved with Pond Hockey and is currently preparing for the next one, which should be in mid-march.

We try to encourage and support things that get people outside to be healthy and sports are a big part of that,” Buchanon said.

Haynes said that he regularly sponsors several groups and sporting teams in the Valley, including the Mat-Su Miners and Palmer Little League.

He moved to Alaska over 30 years ago and opened his first Subway store in Eagle River. He was eager to leave Anchorage and settle down in the more rural Valley area. After bouncing around a bit, he finally built a house in Houston and his roots are setting in.

“Wow, I’m home now,” Haynes said.

Thursday everyone in the Mat-Su Valley is invited to get a free six-inch sub with the purchase of any sub or any wrap and a 30-ounce drink at any of the seven Subway locations from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Aug. 23 is also the last day to enter to win a 2017 Arctic Cat Alterra 90 ATV from the 107.1 Khitz radio station and Wasilla Arctic Cat. Participants can enter at any Subway location in the Valley. The second prize will be a $ 1,000 Coca-Cola Backyard BBQ Setup. The drawing is on Friday, Aug. 24.