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Mary Wright
Hatteberg's People
Reporter: Larry Hatteberg
| January 29, 2006--One of Old Town’s pioneering restaurants has been in the news
recently when it dodged a bullet when some in the community thought the
arena might go there. Well, it’s not --- and for its owner Mary Wright
--- that’s just fine. |
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“It’s an iffy business to go into. It’s just that combination of place and people and food…. it’s just special.”
“You know, when it’s really loud like that, it means that they are happy. People laughing and talking – they are so caught up in their lives. We just add to it, we’re not their main focus.”
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“Hi, are you picking up a ‘to go’ order?
The Old Mill is one of Old Town’s pioneering businesses.
“That when you walk in the door, you feel like you are coming back in time. It reminds you of your childhood, or your parents’ childhood. |
Mary Wright and her family were here when East Douglas wasn’t fashionable.
“The area here was in such blight.” |
But despite the blight, they persevered, building a loyal clientele and thought it would last forever until the Arena ‘talk’.
“And you realize that you might have to say goodbye to something that you love. It was just hard to imagine.” |
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They won, the arena won’t displace their business, but it was certainly a wake-up call for Mary.
“It gave mea appreciation for what we have here. It definitely gave me an appreciation for our customers and just all the years that I’ve had.
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I’ve had a lot of reflection of what had gone on here and the wonderful things --- some sad things – but it was just of reflecting for me.”
“We sure have a good time with it. It is its own ‘self’. Maybe there is something to keeping the old times remembered here.” |
The Old Mill Tasty Shop has been part of Wichita since the 1930’s. Mary Wright and her family purchased it in the early 1980’s and have continued the Old Town tradition. |
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