Greensburg — Having been serving from a food trailer since nearly June last year, Carriage on the Square is finally open for in-store business.

Owner Hans Schreiber started the smokehouse in March 2012, in the building on the square which used to house Adamo’s Pizzeria. Extensive renovations have been constructed over the course of the year, including a new ceiling and changes exposing some of the original brick walls.

The trailer had been reasonably successfully, according to Hans, especially during the Fall Festival and warm months, but business has improved considerably now that people can eat inside.

“We’re seeing new faces every day,” said Hans.

Hans said he plans to keep the trailer for use at the fair, Power of the Past, and the Tree City Fall Festival, but also wants to get settled and established before going through with any big plans.

His goal is to last three years, Hans said.

“After three years, you’re usually good to go,” Hans said.

Hans said he can only hope to half the success of Storie’s, which has lasted more than 30 years.

“You’ve got to tip your hat for Storie’s. He’s (owner Don Storie)really set the bar,” Hans praised.

Rather than feeling at competition with the neighboring restaurants, Hans said he is grateful to be near such a variety of businesses and food places.

“I believe the square will come back alive,” said Hans.

Schreiber feels that the square is attracting the right variety of businesses needed to make the location a bustling centerpiece again. The square won’t be the epicenter it once was, Hans conceded, but he hopes the square can at least be a place for unique food places.

Schreiber feels that everyone on the square has been supportive. The surrounding businesses, he said, have offered moral support, and sometimes the restaurants exchange ingredients if somewhere runs out of something.

“It’s a nice feeling, it’s a good feeling,” said Hans, as he described the family-like support nearby businesses have offered, “You do feel the love.”

Schreiber, while from Indianapolis, has roots established in Greensburg business.

For many years his aunt, Nettie VanArsdall, owned a dress shop named Stewart’s Ladies Apparel, which also sat on the square. Hans said he likes the feeling of having family history in Greensburg.

Schreiber also has history in the food industry and catering. He has wanted to own his own restaurant since he graduated in 2005 from Euphoria Culinary School in West Palm Beach, Fl. He has wandered from job to job in both formal catering and family-style restaurants for going on seven years. The restaurant business is what he describes as a “nomad job” that you have to love to be able to stick with.

“It’s how you learn,” said Hans, “I tried to use my experience and put it in the shop.”

Schreiber said his goals are to offer formal catering and expand his menu. He would like to eventually add pasta and grilled cheese sandwiches to the menu, foods which are trendy in big cities and school campuses.

Mostly, Schreiber said, he wants to be established as having quality food and happy customers.

“I’m just trying to put out the best product. We’ve gotta be above average,” said Hans, “We take baby steps every day.”

Right now, the carriage offers ice cream, and smoked pulled chicken and pork sandwiches and dishes, with sauces of varying spices made from scratch (The sauces are named after Hans’ mother, aunt, and four uncles).

All the meats are smoked at the restaurant, and if a customer pays with cash, they will receive a five percent discount.

Carriage will be having their official grand opening Feb. 1, though it is open for business right now.

Schreiber wanted to extend his thanks to Ben Smith Construction ad Leff-co Electric Inc., which did the construction on the building. He also wanted to thank nearby businesses for their support and encouragement, including Dawg Haus Diner, Mayasari, Storie’s, Picker’s Paradise, That Little Something Handmade, Schlemmer’s Wholesale, the Hair Factory, the Chamber of Commerce, Mainstreet Greensburg, O’Mara Foods Inc., and Jeff from the recently closed Minear’s.

Carriage on the Square is located at 117 N. Broadway, and can be contacted at 812-222-2727



Contact: Tess Rowing 812-663-3111 x7004