Milestones

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Hanover Businesses Celebrate Decades 

By Jessica A. Rudy

The first pages of Hanover’s history were written with its founding in 1763, prior to the American Revolution. In the 261 years since, the community has witnessed triumph and tragedy, war and industrial revolution, growth and growing pains. Throughout those centuries, Hanover residents have fostered an innovative, forward-looking spirit while maintaining a deep connection to generations of history. Numerous Hanover businesses and organizations embodying this spirit are celebrating milestone anniversaries of service to their community.

Hanover Market House

210 E. Chestnut St.

A year-round Saturday destination for many, the Hanover Market House celebrated 90 years at its East Chestnut Street location in October 2023. A community celebration—including a ribbon “re-cutting” and entertainment—offered vendors and market managers a chance to reflect.

“The biggest takeaway from our 90th anniversary is that the Hanover Market House was here long before us, and that it will still be here as a living tradition long after we are gone,” says Curtis Oviatt, the market’s manager. “I am already looking forward to celebrating our 100th anniversary in another 10 years.”

Hanover has had a market house since 1815, when vendors gathered on the center square to offer their goods. According to Oviatt, the market has existed in some form ever since. At one point, the market was in an opera house on West Chestnut Street before finally landing at its current location in 1933.

Updates throughout the years have added parking, bathrooms, seating areas, and heating and air conditioning. The market currently has 114 available stalls occupied by over 30 vendors offering plants, produce, crafts, baked goods, fresh meat, candy and much more. Of the current market vendors, Hughes Meats & Deli/Produce, owned by Sandy Hughes, has enjoyed the longest tenure, marking 44 years in 2024.

“While the vendors and customers who attend are not the same as those who were here 90 years ago, they share the same spirit and enthusiasm for a successful community market that led those people to partake in the same Saturday morning routine that we still use to this day,” says Oviatt. 

He notes the market has survived good times and bad and attributes its success to reliability—it is open every Saturday year-round.

“Whether you come for the food, the friends or simply to browse the various products that our vendors have to offer, the experience that people have in the Hanover Market House keeps them coming back decade after decade, year after year, and Saturday after Saturday,” says Oviatt. 

In 2024, shares Oviatt, customers can look forward to special outdoor vendor events and food trucks, live music, and vendors and nonprofit groups who participate during the holiday season.

Hanover Little Theatre

360 Blooming Grove Road

Whenever a few storytellers meet an eager audience, inevitably theater follows shortly thereafter. 

Such was the case with the Hanover Community Players, which presented its first production in 1949 at Eichelberger High School. Over the next 10 years, the volunteer troupe performed around the Hanover area until finding a permanent home at the two-room schoolhouse at 360 Blooming Grove Road.

Now more widely known as the Hanover Little Theatre (HLT), the group of homegrown thespians marked the theater’s 75th anniversary in April with a celebratory gala event. That celebration raised funds for the theater company’s next 75 years, according to HLT Second Vice President Heidi Hormel.

According to a company history provided by Hormel, by the 1970s the company was able to mount four shows per year, with a few musicals playing off-Broadway. Over the decades, the nonprofit has continuously improved the former schoolhouse with needed upgrades like seating, storage, theatrical lighting and sound, restrooms and other amenities enjoyed by audiences.

“The changes have been many over the years, from buying and renovating the schoolhouse to adding indoor bathrooms to installing air conditioning to an online ticketing system,” explains Hormel. “Every change has been to make the experience for the audience and the volunteer actors, directors and backstage crew better.”

According to Hormel, the HLT’s long-term success is thanks to the dedication and support of volunteers and donors “who understand the importance of live theater.” Hormel also attributes careful stewardship by the governing board over the years.

“[We have] an unwavering commitment to making sure our performances are affordable so that we have been able to cultivate a broad and loyal audience,” says Hormel.

In addition to funding operations, since 2014-2015, the theater has been able to donate $2 of each seat sold on first Saturday night performances—a total of $17,000—to local nonprofits. The amount is matched by Sommer and O’Donnel Attorneys at Law and an anonymous donor.

Next on stage at HLT is Monsters! A Musical Meltdown June 7-9 and June 13-16, with the 2024-2025 season due to start in the fall. 

Pressell’s Florist

100 Carlisle St.

Pressell’s Florist owner Karen McDermitt plans to celebrate the business’ 100th anniversary this fall with an open house, including a chance for longtime customers to share their recollections of the shop’s role in their lives.

From its founding by Allen and Myrtle Pressell in 1924, the shop was located on Broadway until a few years ago. The Pressells owned the shop until the late 1960s, when it was sold to Ira and Helen Bitner, from whom McDermitt purchased it 18 years ago.

Pressell’s serves much of southern York County and eastern Adams County with fresh floral arrangements to suit customers’ taste for any occasion.

Famous Hot Weiner

101 Broadway & 160 Dart Drive

No visit to Hanover is truly complete without a visit to the Famous Hot Weiner. Founded in 1923 by Nicholas E. Mavros, this culinary giant of southern York County serves the community from two Hanover locations and a third in Spring Grove. Operated by fourth-generation owners George and Tim Keriazes, the Famous Hot Weiner offers something for everyone, from its famous hot dog to breakfasts, burgers and salads. 

All three locations are open Monday to Saturday and closed Sundays. 

Celebrations & More!

Does your business have an important milestone or maybe an event in the works? Let our readers know by using some of our free resources to spread the news.

Submit a tour of your space

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Utilize our hashtags: #celebratehanover & #celebrategettysburg

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Place events on our calendars

Utilize our calendar to promote events or specials. We also frequently share listings across our various social channels. 

To learn more about any of these items contact us at
info@celebrategettysburg.com or visit our websites: celebratehanover.com or celebrategettysburg.com

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About Author

Jessica Rudy

Jessica Rudy is a freelance writer and editor who started her journalism career in 2007 at the Gettysburg Times. As a journalist, arts marketer, musician, fiber artist, historian and occasional improv comedian, she uses her work to advocate for the power of creativity and storytelling to grow deep, lasting connections in communities. She lives in Fairfield with her husband and daughter and their cats.

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