While Novinger's Coal  was long the town's most notable export, it has long stood as both an agricultural exporter as well as the host for a variety of businesses ranging from drug stores and mills to candy shops and banks. These businesses provided for many of the daily needs such as food and medicine, as well as luxury items like the latest hats. 

Other means of acquiring goods that became popular during the latter half of the 19th century included order by catalog, which became far more feasible in terms of both order and delivery with the advent of telegraph wires and railroads, and later with radio and delivery by car. As is true today, orders could be made by the customer themselves or by a business owner seeking to meet the needs of their clientele, while delivery could take place via the train station or post office, or through one of the various stores. 

In an age prior to malls and supermarkets, it was common for towns to have various shops that provided a range of goods and services ranging from butchers to paint shops and more. One location that would be more likely to host a wide variety of services would be the drug store, with many of these shops selling goods such as soda and ice cream as well as medicine.

As has always been the case, the desires of customers  could be both wide and particular, with decorative glassware such as is showcased to the left being popular for many middle class and wealthy families.

Novengerites have been part of many wars in American history, from WWI to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

Novinger has rarely if ever wanted for reading material, whether for entertainment, information, or education.

Many of these books are available at the museum library, if one should ever want to read a piece of Novinger History.