Submarine Stories: The Original Blimpie Location in Hoboken Tribute Mug – A Hearty Helping of Jersey Heritage
The tale of Blimpie is pure Jersey grit: three St. Peter's Prep grads from Jersey City—Tony Conza, Peter DeCarlo, and Angelo Baldassare—fresh out of high school, road-tripped to Point Pleasant Beach and fell hard for the overstuffed subs at Mike's Submarines (now Jersey Mike's). Inspired, they scraped together funds from a generous friend, armed with just a can of paint, hammer, nails, and unshakeable optimism, to convert a dingy vacant storefront into Hoboken's first Blimpie. On opening day, lines snaked down Washington Street as locals shelled out 35 to 95 cents for "blimpies"—so named because Conza, scanning a dictionary for something grander than "sub" or Philly's "hoagie," landed on "blimp," evoking the sandwich's swollen, airship-like girth. No greasy spoon vibes here; it was fresh-sliced Genoa salami, prosciuttini, cappicola, provolone, crisp lettuce, tomatoes, onions, oil, vinegar, and oregano on a pillowy roll—th...