COLONIE — The Capital Region's lone Firehouse Subs sandwich restaurant will close Dec. 23, according to franchise owner Ashley Deeb.

Deeb said Friday that the restaurant, located near Latham Farms, has not been profitable, and it was located in a "saturated" area with several other sandwich shops nearby, like Subway, Jersey Mike's and Mr. Subb.

She said it was difficult to close just before Christmas, but the franchise's employees will all be offered jobs with Ted's Fish Fry restaurant.

"There's not a good time to do it at all," Deeb said of the closure. "We try to take care of our employees ... In this moment, we have (another job) to offer them."

A sign on the front door of the restaurant simply read "Our last day of business will be Sunday, December 23. Thank you for your patronage. We wish you all you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year."

A Firehouse corporate spokeswoman released a statement from the company saying the franchise owner discontinued operations, and added "We hope to return to the area but do not have anything to report at this time."

Ashley Deeb is married to Shaun Deeb, a Troy-based professional poker player. The couple owns rental properties, but this was their first foray into restaurant-ownership.

"We've tried everything to keep it open," Deeb said. "It hasn't been smooth from the start."