Lebanon Co. sub shop ‘lost everything’ in Friday fire, community helps rebuild

LEBANON COUNTY, Pa. — A Lebanon County family is rummaging through rubble this week after a fire tore through their sandwich shop, Hoagies on Main, early Friday morning. 

As they sift through the debris of what once was a thriving small business, family members are leaning on each other and their loyal customers to find the strength to rebuild.

Dylan Hummel was among the first to discover the blaze.

“He ran over… he opened the door, and all you saw was smoke,” said his sister, Caitlin Hummel, who co-owns the shop with their mother, Michelle Anderson. 

The family had poured its heart into the establishment, making it a hub for the community and a gathering place for friends and family.

Despite the loss, the family’s connection remains unbroken. Caitlin expressed the overwhelming disbelief that has washed over her family.

“It feels like it didn’t happen,” she said. 

Without renters insurance, they are faced with the daunting reality of starting over from scratch.

Michelle Anderson shared the emotional toll of losing the shop, stating, “It’s like losing our second home. We spent more hours here than we did at our actual home, and so did our kids. I’ve raised 14 grandkids here.” 

The walls of Hoagies on Main served as a backdrop for countless family memories that were tarnished by the blaze. Grandkids’ school photos still hang on the fridge, now half-burned by the flames.

As they dig through the debris, remnants of the restaurant emerge like artifacts that tell their story. Caitlin reminisced about family notes left by her mom throughout the shop, emphasizing the memories buried beneath the ashes. 

“Mom would always leave us little notes, see [on the refrigerator]: ‘Please make sure I’m shut,’” she recalled, her laughter breaking through the sadness.

While very little is left of the physical space, the bond the family shares remains resilient. 

“Not a lot of people get to work with their family,” Caitlin said. “We’re very close. We love each other so much, and being able to work together, I think that love just transfers.”

The shop was not just a place of business. It was a welcoming space where customers became friends and family. Caitlin described the familiarity with their patrons, saying that “they became our friends [and] family.” 

The shop’s nearly eight-year-old foundation of family makes it a little easier to rebuild.

Within just four days, nearly $10,000 has been raised through community donations, along with offers to provide new uniforms, supplies and even a food truck to help the family maintain a small operation in the parking lot while it regroups.

Michelle remains hopeful for the future, acknowledging the hard work ahead. 

“We’re definitely coming back here,” she said. “There’s going to be a lot of steps [and] a lot of work.” 

Michelle added that overlooking the business’ renters insurance was a learning experience for the family. 

“We’re going to make sure we’re protected next time,” she stated.

Building officials estimate that “next time”  won’t be for at least six to eight months, after which the family still has to replace the resources inside the restaurant. 

Hoagies on Main is accepting donations through a GoFundMe. Updates on the sandwich shop’s route to rebuild can be found here.