GIANNA VOLPE PHOTO | Jim Hooghkirk inside his Subway franchise in Mattituck Wednesday. He said he may — or may not — sell his store.

After more than three years in business, the owner of Subway in Mattituck is selling his franchise.

Or is he?

“We don’t know which direction we will go,” said owner Jim Hooghkirk of reports he will be selling his store. “This could go any way.”

The potential Subway sale is the latest news to come out of a Mattituck Plaza shopping center that has seen a lot of change in recent weeks. North Fork Bagel Cafe closed last month, around the same time Big City Burgers Atomic Wings opened next door to Subway. The new burger joint replaced Bahia, which closed its doors late last year.

Mr. Hooghkirk told North Fork Patch that he is looking to sell his franchise as he struggles to pay the $4,300 monthly rent. He was less talkative when The Suffolk Times approached him Wednesday.

“I have no comment until I speak with my attorney,” he said, before adding that he’s not sure which direction he’ll go.

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