Norma’s Restaurant: How Norma Clark’s breakfast spot became a favorite for York veterans

YORK, Maine — Veterans have had a welcome place for breakfast as long as Norma’s Restaurant was open in York.

Norma Clark said she has been welcoming to all her patrons in her 43 years running her breakfast place, but has a soft spot in her heart for veterans. Today, she runs the annual Veterans Day breakfast, free of charge, to those who have served in the military. Outside her restaurant at 529 US Route 1, she has signs marking spaces for veterans only, accompanied by messages supporting first responders.

Now, past and present military members are saying thank you with a new certificate from the town of York Committee for Veterans' Affairs. Several local veterans who frequent Norma’s visited her last week to present the token of appreciation.

“We’re here because Norma is a big supporter of the veterans and the military and police officers in town,” said Don Lefante, chair of the Committee for Veterans' Affairs.

When Clark emerged from the kitchen to meet with the veterans, LeFante told Norma the certificate was for “all you do.”

“Your attitude and your personality,” LeFante told Clark. “And your great eggs.”

Clark said she appreciated the certificate and would put it on her wall, framed.

The veterans say it can be difficult to find a welcoming place, especially when service members have been criticized by some anti-war activists for their part in foreign wars.

Clark said the important thing is they are treated like human beings who need a place to go.

“Look at what they’ve done for us, the veterans,” Clark said. “How much can we give back to them?”

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Norma’s a staple in York for four decades

Clark was born and raised in York with a family history deeply tied to the town’s iconic lighthouse. Her great-grandfather was Nubble Lighthouse keeper Fairfield Moore, who held the post from 1921 to 1928. It was during those years that Clark’s mother Barbara was born on that island, she said as she pointed to a framed picture of the lighthouse.

Clark has run Norma’s in York at various locations since she started more than four decades ago, including York Corner, the plaza at Long Sands Road, and York Village next to the Cumberland Farms. She briefly took a break to focus on her family for five years, but reopened Norma’s when her children became independent. Norma’s has been at its current location since 1996. It was the first location that Clark decided to purchase the unit rather than lease the space.

Clark was awarded the Greater York Chamber of Commerce’s Citizen of the Year Award in 2012, recognizing her for her charity. Those efforts have included fundraising dinners and donation jars for people in need.

She said running her restaurant has always been about the people.

“We’re like one big family,” Clark said of the regulars at Norma’s. “We built up a great friendship with everyone, and if someone needs something, we’re always here to help them.”

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Veterans community strong in York

Clark said her involvement with the veterans community grew over time. Earlier in her years as a restaurateur, she said she was always aware of veterans from the caps they wear.

A few years ago, Clark said she was approached by the town Committee for Veterans' Affairs and Parks and Recreation Department. They wanted to know if she could host a free breakfast for local veterans on Veterans Day if the committee covered the cost.

This coming November will be the fourth Veterans Day breakfast held at Norma’s, according to Clark. She said community members have helped by serving tables, including Lynn Osgood, the town clerk and tax collector.

Clark’s effort means more to veterans than a free plate of eggs. Tom Coffey, a member of the veterans committee, said simply hearing about a veterans' breakfast at a local restaurant lets them know it’s the kind of place they can feel welcome.

“We look for places to go,” Coffey said. “When we see someone having a breakfast for veterans, they know that they can come back.”

Michael Dow, also a veteran, said that is not the case everywhere. “There’s a lot of places that don’t really like veterans,” he said.

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York also has a strong contingent of veterans. Dow estimated there are currently 1,200 past service members living in York today.

“When you think about how many year-round residents, 12,000 to 13,000 year-round,” Dow said, “That’s a pretty big percentage for such a small population.”

The veterans have a strong support system, they say, noting York has posts for both the American Legion and VFW in addition to the town committee. York also has numerous memorials for those who fought in past wars, including the Ellis Park Monument and the Soldier’s Monument in York Village.

Clark said it’s important to keep that support going strong even as the number of veterans becomes fewer over time.

“How do we keep it going?” Clark said. “You can’t let it go.”

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Norma’s Restaurant: Owner thanked for all she does for York veterans