HORACE LANGFORD JR. / PVT Warm, pleasant colors are part of the new paint scheme in Port of Subs. Advertisement

Anyone who visited the Port of Subs shop before the renovation saw a dark, bland, and unwelcoming business.

Well, the owners, Gary and Laura Duke decided it was time to update the shop to make it feel warm and friendly when customers and future customers come to buy their product.

Earlier this month, "POS' reopened its doors once more since its initial opening in 1998. Located at 150 S. Highway 160 (near Albertson's), its hours of operation vary. Call 775-751-6000 for more information.

Dave O'Hara, chief of operations, said, "The change was contracted by Port of Subs corporate office, but Gary and Laura Duke wanted to update theirs early. Stores are updated every 10 years or when the store is sold. In this case we just wanted to be ahead of the others."

The update included improvements to the preparation area, and a complete repainting to warmer, pleasant colors. The little chef (or sailor) is the hallmark of POS and currently has no name. The symbols on the wall reflect what the store offers in the way of customer service, yet the pictures themselves are childlike in their presentation.

O'Hara went on to say, "Our store manager, Mary Duncan, has done a wonderful job of running the store since its inception in 1998 and was recognized as the manager of the year for that year. This store was opened at the time due to the trend of retail business growth both in Pahrump and state-wide."

The only business of its type to be born in Nevada (in Reno, 1972), POS has continued to grow with many locations available throughout the area.

Duncan said, "One of the things we emphasize is that no matter where you go, the menu is the same from store to store."

Every franchise owner must, by corporate direction, maintain the original menu; only four specialty items are allowed per year and they are also authorized by corporate headquarters. The current one is New York steak and cheese.

"I have watched generations come through the doors. Those in 1998 have now grown and have children of their own and some will soon do the same. It has been fun watching our customer base grow along with Pahrump," added Duncan.

There have been only two price increases over the years that were very small, one being recent and due to rising gas prices.

The shop is proud of the way meat is cut to order for customers.

The quality of the products used to create each sandwich is ensured by O'Hara and the Dukes. O'Hara also owns three stores in Las Vegas, and is very aware of the importance of quality.

Proud to be part of the community, POS supports local school athletics, the senior center and other senior citizen needs, sheriff's department special classes such as DARE, 4-H club activities, as well as a race car (Wrangler), and much more.

"We are very supportive of the Pahrump community because we live here, of course we help them out," said Duncan.