Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
Stan Norgard hangs a new sign in the renovated Sam and Louie's Italian Restaurant in preparation for the Feb. 26 reopening. The Norgards recently purchased the restaurant from Jerry and Diann Steffens.
Melissa and Stan Norgard have purchased the Sam & Louie's Italian Restaurant and New York Style Pizzeria in Sidney. They plan to reopen the 824 10th Ave. location 11 a.m. Feb. 26.
Nestled between the Hickory Street history and the business of downtown Sidney is a connection between the eastern coast and the state of Nebraska. It is a place where the window seats include a view common from the town's history: the passing trains.
Stan and Melissa Norgard recently purchased the Sidney location of Sam & Louie's New York Pizza. They purchased the location from Jerry and Diann Steffens.
They plan to reopen for the public on Feb. 26.
The Norgards are not new to food service. They met in San Diego, Calif., when Stan was working in a bar. He has more than 20 years' experience. Stan said when the opportunity presented itself to get back in the restaurant business, they followed it.
The 824 20th Ave. Sidney location has the Norgard's personal touch in color and motif with new flooring, seating arrangement and pictures of Sidney's past. Fans of Sam & Louie's can be confident the menu will continue with franchise favorites including pizza by the slice, strombolis and calzones. They plan to expand the bar offerings to include craft beers and limited mixed drinks.
"We won't be able to make every drink," Stan said.
They will continue to honor coupons issued by the Steffens, as well as the Raider Card. In addition, all of the previous staff are returning as well.
Hours of business will remain the same: 11 a.m. To 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Stan will be spending the next few days visiting other Sam & Louie's locations, learning how the franchise works.
"We want to make it a good experience from Day One," said Melissa Norgard.
She said the goal is to make the experience, the quality, taste and amount of food a value for the price. She said they will stress family fun and friendly place to meet.
"Stan and I have such faith and loyalty to the community," she said. "It (purchasing Sam & Louie's) was a no-brainer to us."
Sam & Louie's started as a small family-run pizzeria in Omaha in 1994. The franchise is known as a "casual Italian restaurant and New York style pizzeria that is dedicated to providing a dining experience based on tradition, good service, family and fun," according to the company's website.
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