ASHWAUBENON, Wis. (NBC 26) — If you've walked in the front door of Green Bay Austin Straubel Airport over the last 30 years, you may have noticed Lori Hill at the gift shop.
"We basically were raised in this airport," Hill said. "And from the time we could see over the counter, we were helping out. ... You probably don't hear too many people say 'hey, I'm going shopping at the airport,' but that's really what we have."
Hill now runs the Northeast Wisconsin staple with her mother and cancer survivor Donna.
"Since dad's passing, she's been back here going strong and she deserves the break," Hill said.
And that time is almost here. After her husband's death a year ago, Donna is ready to call it quits as the owner of the airport's first-ever gift shop.
"People would come in and say 'oh, I love your shop' after he passed," she said. "And I would think 'I do too, but it's never gonna be the same without Jack.'"
The Packer Gear & Cheese shop is set to close its doors in Ashwaubenon after over 52 years in business.
Through the decades, Donna has helped people from across the globe. She specifically remembers the time she gifted a golf club to the late comedian Bob Hope.
"The next day, my picture and Bob was all over the Press Gazette… the front page," The Airport Gift Shop owner said.
And that's just one of Donna's memories selling all things Wisconsin.
"'Man, you must meet a lot of celebrities,'" she said. "I says 'yes, everybody that walks through the door is a celebrity.'"
While the Hills celebrate the legacy of the gift shop until its closing on May 31, the family is keeping their other store open at the Appleton Airport.
"We have customers that have come to see us from all over the world, and it's just a big thank you," Lori Hill said.
According to the Green Bay Press Gazette, Tailwind Concessions will take over the shop's location.
