When Nora and Paul Gardner decided to open a sandwich shop in Noel, they didn't realize they were inviting people into their lives.
"We love to meet people," Nora said. "They become like friends and family and it's very close."
The couple opened The Hog Shop on Main Street more than a decade ago -- in November 2005. At the time, Nora was in the mortgage business at Hometown Bank, and Paul was the mayor of the town. They owned the building and had been renting it. When the occupants moved out, Paul asked Nora if she would like to open a small sandwich shop. She thought he was crazy.
Nevertheless, they moved forward. Nora had gotten Paul a Harley-Davidson for his birthday. They ran with the motorcycle theme, asking all their friends what kind of sandwiches they wanted. Thus, all the sandwiches are named after their friends' motorcycles -- the Fat Boy Club, the Street Glide, the Screamin' Eagle, the Road King, etc. Friends and family brought gifts of Harley-Davidson decor to complete the theme.
The number-one-selling item on the menu is the Fat Boy Club, which has roast beef, turkey and ham. In the last two years they have added burgers and homemade fries. The restaurant is open for breakfast and lunch.
"I think the best thing that ever happened to us is having this (restaurant)," Nora said. "We meet so many people, and they become like family. Gary Poynor was one of the first customers. He was here mornings and afternoons and let us know what we needed to change. He helped us a lot."
Peggy Vlaovich, a regular at The Hog Shop, said of Nora, "She's a good cook and everything's fresh. She's very sociable. You won't find a better place to have good conversation. It kind of feels like you just went to your best friend's house. We just make ourselves at home."
Vlaovich also noted that Nora knows her customers so well that she has a talent for remembering exactly what each one likes on his or her sandwiches.
Nora said she likes to help the community with donations however she can, and there was even a church that met inside The Hog Shop for several months at one point.
It is a family business, and her nieces and children help out. Nora said she likes interacting with people and coming to work lifts her spirits.
"Everyone who comes in here, they come in like a customer, but they leave like family," Nora said. "The community has been very good to us."
General News on 05/26/2016