Potbelly Sandwich Shop Coming to Former Fatted Calf

Potbelly's Sandwich Shop is coming to Clayton. The Chicago-based sandwich chain will occupy the former Fatted Calf in downtown Clayton.

Franchisee Todd Stimson owns the Potbelly Sandwich Shop in Creve Coeur, which opened in 2012. He hopes to have the Clayton location open in October.

"We're going through the permitting process now," Stimson told Patch. "We hope to be open by the end of October." 

Stimson said he is planning a complete renovation of the interior and exterior of the building. 

"We are going to gut and remodel," he said. "The facade will go away as well."

Stimson was drawn to Clayton because of its demographics and the great opportunity for lunch crowds.

"The Fatted Calf was there for 30 years," he said. "That's always a good sign."

The Fatted Calf closed in March. Owner Kathleen Portman nearly closed the restaurant at the end of June 2011, but a surge of business was enough to keep it going.

As noted when the Creve Coeur location opened, Potbelly's is known for a few things in the way of decor — a Potbelly stove, an American Flag and local flavor.

"We have antiques around and live music playing," Stimson said. "I tell people Potbelly's is a first-class dive—awesome food from a neighborhood sandwich shop."

Stimson said he expects to employ 25-30 people at the Clayton Potbelly's when it opens.