Business Spotlight: Moe's Italian Sandwiches

Business Name: Moe's Italian Sandwiches of Salem, N.H.

Business Owners: Scott and Betty Lafrance

Business Address: 5 Kelly Road, Salem, N.H. 03079

Phone: 603-912-5336

Email: moesofsalemnh@yahoo.com

Website: www.moesitaliansandwiches.com

Date opened: February 2011

Tell us a little about yourself and your background.

Scott: My background is wide and varied. I've been in sales and management, I was a hot air balloon pilot, I ran a steel mill, I did corporate improvement. I actually grew up next door in Methuen to the owners (of Moe's). I've been eating the sandwiches my whole life. (Founder Phil “Moe” Pagano's) son was running the business and he used to bring sandwiches home with him. His daughter and I were good friends growing up. Now she's running the company and it was just by chance we met on Facebook. "Are you the same Scott I grew up with?" One thing led to another, I was working midnight shift and I said, "You know what, if I'm busting my hump for somebody else, why not do it for myself?" Two weeks later we were sitting down talking, getting information and working on the paperwork.

In a nutshell, describe your business.

Scott: Moe's is a family-owned operation. It's been in business since 1959. Mr. Pagano was a meat and cheese salesman. He took his mother's recipe and blended his own meats, cheeses, bread and pickles. For the first 30 years the only thing on his menu was an Original, which is his version of an Italian...It's just blossomed and grown the last 53 years to now where we have 15 locations. It's not your typical Italian. It's got a definite taste difference. And they're good, at least from my point of view! We're now up to nine different things on the menu and everything is our own recipe.

What is your favorite part about what you do?

Scott: Everything. When you go to a 9-to-5 job with somebody else you know it's just a 9-to-5 job. The 12-to-14-hour days I was putting in at the factory, I wasn't getting anywhere. But if I put in the same amount of time here, I have potential to blow things out of the water and the 12-to-14 hours days just aren't the same. I'm happier being my own boss. We've been in business for a year now and it's pretty cool!

What's the most important thing you'd like your customers to know about your business?

Scott: It's family-owned and operated. My wife and I own the shop, we're not a big-box franchise. We're committed to helping the community and the area. Whatever we can donate we'll donate and work with local charities and foundations for fundraising. We've got the small-town feel. After just one or two times in here, I do a pretty good job of trying to remember people's names...It's the quintessential "Cheers" where everybody knows your name. It makes you feel wanted.

For hours and more information or to rate and review this business, go to their Patch listing.