BLACKSBURG, Va. – A beloved Blacksburg sandwich shop made its highly anticipated return this week, as Substation II reopened its doors after a two-year closure, drawing crowds of eager customers and bringing back cherished memories for the Virginia Tech community.
The soft opening featured a special guest – former owner Hamid LaPuasa, who had the honor of cutting the first sub at the new location. LaPuasa, who owned and operated the restaurant for 37 years until his retirement in 2023, was greeted with warm welcomes from longtime customers.
“I feel very honored for them to ask me to come and slice the first subs,” LaPuasa said. “It was great to see the old customers and hug. You know we haven’t seen each other for 2 or 3 years.”
A Legacy of Service
From 1986 to 2023, Substation II and LaPuasa were fixtures in the Blacksburg community, particularly among Virginia Tech students. The restaurant’s location near campus made it a popular spot for generations of college students…