The sandwich chain opened its newest location in Irving Park, once home to the founder of the company. View Full Caption DNAinfo/Erica Demarest

IRVING PARK — It took 38 years, but Potbelly has finally opened a sandwich shop in founder Peter Hastings' home neighborhood.

The newest member of the Potbelly franchise made its official debut Thursday at 4185 W. Irving Park Road, the first commercial occupant in a new mixed-use development that Bow Truss Coffee and a Lou Malnati's carryout spot will also eventually call home.

Longtime Old Irving Park resident Hastings, who has since decamped for Indiana, started Potbelly in 1977, initially selling toasted sandwiches and cookies out of his Lincoln Park antiques shop during lunch. The sandwiches ultimately won out over the antiques, but the vintage potbelly stoves found in each Potbelly restaurant are an ongoing reminder of the chain's early beginnings.

Hastings sold his original, and only, Potbelly location, 2264 N. Lincoln Ave., for $1.7 million in 1996. Potbelly has since expanded to more than 300 shops worldwide.

One holdover from Hastings' tenure: live entertainment provided by local musicians.

Interested performers should contact Irving Park manager Megan Lynch at 773-654-5250 to set up an audition.

The Irving Park Potbelly is open 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays and 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays. Delivery is not yet available, but is expected to start within a few weeks.

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