Brothers in Business, Partners in Success
- Jodi Brunner
- 7 days ago
- 3 min read
By Tammy Villanueva • Photos by Jessica McCafferty
James and Macky Liotta are not your average brothers and not your average business partners. What they are is two hard working guys out to succeed with their Jersey Mike’s franchise. The brothers hail from Point Pleasant, New Jersey – coincidentally the same town as the first Mike’s Sandwich Shop – later renamed Jersey Mike’s — which opened in 1956. The two launched their own shop in Plattsburgh less than a year ago and have already made an impact with their generosity.
Sitting down with the Liottas, I had a chance to ask them about their past and what they see for their future – both personally and professionally.
When James graduated from high school in 2016, he looked at his options for the future. Was he ready to take out loans for college or continue doing construction — something he really enjoyed? After much thought, he made the decision to attend college and ended up graduating from West Virginia University with a degree in Finance. He worked a desk job for a brief time, but realized it was not for him. He knew he was destined for something else and returned to Point Pleasant Beach to see what the future would hold.
Macky – whose real name is John – shared the same work ethic as James. He attended community college and, at the same time, worked in the original Jersey Mike’s store. It was during that time he realized he liked the company’s culture, its values and what the business offered both personally and to the community.
Location, Location
The brothers began working for Jersey Mike’s and ended up at the Williston, Vermont shop. During their time in Vermont, they met people from Plattsburgh who were genuinely kind and welcoming, That got James and Macky to talking and thinking about opening their own franchise – and doing it in the Plattsburgh area.
The two met with Kristy Kennedy of the North Country Chamber of Commerce and, after a few meetings, began scouting locations. They made multiple trips to Consumer Square and watched people coming and going. It was that traffic that made them decide they had found the perfect spot to set up shop. With the decision made, they opened in March of 2024.
Connecting With the Community
The brothers have relocated to Plattsburgh, set down roots and are now part of the community. They work and play together and share an impressive relationship. Although they are still relatively new to the North Country, they are beginning to reach out to the community. They fundraised as part of the Day of Giving with the United Way and have supported the Foundation of Clinton Community College. They have also generously contributed to a variety of other organizations in the area. The brothers are especially interested in working with and giving back to programs that assist children. The next thing they are looking to do is create a special partnership with a local high school for its athletic program – similar to what the original Jersey Mike’s did in their hometown.
Getting to Know You
Before meeting James and Macky Liotta I considered doing a little research, but changed my mind. My thought was to get to know them first and it worked out perfectly. The brothers made me feel welcome from the moment I met them. They were working with the staff prepping for Mother’s Day when I joined them and, even though they were busy, they were gracious. As we got to know each other and began our conversation, I could tell they honestly liked each other and they are a team.
An Immediate Success
Since the Plattsburgh Jersey Mike’s opened 15 months ago, it has become immensely popular in the area. The store has been in the top 56 of the company’s franchises — there are over 3,500 franchises in the U.S., Canada and internationally. It has even been number two in the country for two months straight. The partners attribute their achievement to the support of the community.
When you visit Jersey Mike’s you will appreciate how the staff treat you as soon as you walk through the door – like you are part of the family. And when you are there, be sure to say hello to James and Macky when you see them behind the counter.
Jersey Mike’s
114 Consumer Square
Plattsburgh, NY 12901
518-907-0890