Ricci's Hoagies Will Open Lancaster Shop October 21
The franchise is anchoring a retail space in the 72-unit Gallery 118 building.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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Ricci's Hoagies will open a new franchise location in downtown Lancaster on October 21, 2026. The shop occupies a 1,400-square-foot space at 117 N. Water St.
Why it matters
The opening illustrates the strategy of pairing quick-service dining with dense urban residential developments to capture foot traffic. It marks an expansion for the brand, which previously operated in South Philadelphia and Charlotte.
The new storefront spans 1,400 square feet within a 72-unit residential building and features 16 indoor seats. The brand, owned by Michael Pagliarella, has expanded from its South Philadelphia roots and a Charlotte location.
The players
Michael Pagliarella
The owner of the Ricci's Hoagies brand.
Brendalis Camacho
A franchisee operating the new Lancaster location.
Marcus Fontanez
A franchisee operating the new Lancaster location.
The details
The restaurant sits behind the preserved facade of a historic garage at 117 N. Water St. It serves as a ground-floor anchor for the Gallery 118 apartment building. Franchisees Brendalis Camacho and Marcus Fontanez are operating the site under the brand founded by Michael Pagliarella.
Timeline
2001: The year the original shop was purchased by Rich Pagliarella.
October 21, 2026: The opening date for the Lancaster location.
Market Landscape
The opening follows the 2001 acquisition of the Ricci's Hoagies brand by Rich Pagliarella. The brand is now expanding its footprint from regional roots in South Philadelphia to new urban markets.
Operators should monitor the site for foot traffic dynamics between the 72-unit residential building and the 1,400-square-foot storefront. The use of a historic garage facade also demonstrates a method for maintaining local character while securing modern retail space.
The takeaway
Retailers looking for expansion opportunities should examine the integration of small-footprint food service into mixed-use historic renovations. Track occupancy rates at Gallery 118 to understand the local density impact on the shop's traffic.
What happens next
The shop is scheduled to open on October 21, 2026.
Further reading
For more updates on local retail shifts, see the Openings & Closings section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by LancasterOnline.
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