What a Fortunate Little Girl! Print E-mail
Written by Sandra Ghost   
Monday, 07 September 2009 00:00
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What a Fortunate Little Girl!
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Meanwhile, questions simmered in me so that when I finally got a chance to ask them I felt like a popcorn bag in the microwave.  I only hoped they wouldn’t explode from me on interview.  “Had you ever been in the restaurant business prior to your venture here?” I asked.

“I waited on tables during my college years, but I had actually worked for the State--the Department of Labor and Industry-- for sixteen years.  I ran the Career Link for the last six years.”

“But...that’s so unrelated.  Why did you decide to buy a restaurant?”  It puzzled me.  “Tell me how it all began.”

“Well, we are the parents of a seven year old and at our age  we realized that most likely we would not be able to retire at a  normal retirement age.  I have rheumatoid arthritis and have to be careful of stress, plus need a flexible schedule.  My husband and I talked about it—prayed about it.  Prior to working for the State, I was in the business of remodeling hotels and restaurants in Warren, Ohio.  This building was for sale and I’d always had a great fondness for it.  Prior to Rosemarie’s Restaurant it had been Nancy’s Isaly.  The building needed a lot of work, but we prayed about it and everything fell into place.”

“That’s the way it usually happens when God is in it,” I agreed.  Suddenly I realized that this is what I had sensed on first entering—God was in it.  I don’t mean floating around between the tables, of course, but His sovereign Hand had been in its inception and obviously He was continuing to bless it “No wonder the decor is so great, Barb.  You had experience in remodeling hotels and restaurants.”

“Our contractor was Bruce Giering.  We had to gut everything and it was amazing that friends and the wonderful people in the area just showed up to help.”

“The expansive brick wall really sets the tone in the room,” I told her.

“My husband actually ‘found’ the brick wall.  He discovered a small hole in the wall and began to pick at it.  Soon Roy and friends attacked it with hammers and picks exposing the entire wall.   In the past there had been a fire that had destroyed our downtown block and when it was rebuilt they set up a brick mill and supplied brick for the whole block.  There’s a brick firewall in each of the stores.”  I commented on the river rock and was told that it disguises the utility run for the apartment upstairs.  How clever!

“So why did you decide on Linesville?” I asked.

“My husband and I go to the First Baptist church in Linesville, we absolutely love this town and the people.  When we walked through the doors of that church we knew we were ‘home’.  I’ve never met so many caring people in my life.  And our customers come from everywhere, Father Walsh of St. Philip is a very good friend...people from Calvary Baptist come, the Presbyterian church... from everywhere.”

“It’s an ecumenical restaurant, for sure.”  I added.  Our time was drawing to a close and there was one more compliment I wanted to be sure she knew about.  “Well, Barb Hogan, I thank you so much for your time and sharing this inspiring story.  But one more thing I need to pass onto you.  I had a great opportunity to observe your waitresses as they served.  They are a terrific asset for your business.  It occurred to me that you might call them ‘Hogan’s Heroes’!  We shared that last laugh together...


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