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Michael Shea
Hatteberg's People
Reporter: Larry Hatteberg
April 2, 2006--Michael Shea tried his hand a broadcasting, even thought he might want to be a lawyer. Didn’t
happen! Instead he found a niche in Wichita’s Old Town…in a little grocery store.
“It’s kind of interesting, here in the largest city in the state, we’ve got the world’s biggest
small town right here in Old Town. |
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In the 600 block of East Douglas ….a little grocery store. Michael Shea is the owner.
“Would you like some true cigarettes? There you go. You have a wonderful day.”
“Well, I spent several years in New York City and I did 90 percent of my shopping in places
smaller than this. With everybody moving in downtown, this seemed to be the most logical place
to put it.”
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In the front, free coffee and free Internet access. And old town residents love it.
“Yeah, I do. Whenever I pop in to get groceries I’ll check my Hotmail account.” |
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| In the back of the store, a wine selection and towards the front…. Michael’s own personal video
collection that he lets anyone borrow…for free.
“I’ve had this box of movies I’ve been bored with for years. We don’t even have them checked
out on a card, which is probably something I should be doing. But we’ve never had them get
stolen. We’ve always had them come back.” |
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And like grocery stores that used to populate small towns….Michael also delivers…on an aging
bicycle.
“Oh, I think it’s great. People get pizzas delivered; I don’t know why they wouldn’t want to
get their groceries delivered. Everyday is different, I like that. And…here we are.” |
Here is the Java Nation Restaurant and owner Belinda Blasé.
“I’ve made calls to him at 2 o’clock in the morning for emergency eggs, or milk or whatever.”
In his back room, an old flute is always nearby.
“It’s just gruesome to hear me try this thing. It is just absolutely gruesome.”
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Living and working in Old Town, you can be who you are….doesn’t matter if you can play the
flute or not.
“It passes the time away.”
What matters is that you enjoy life.
“It’s the people really, it’s just a lot of fun.” |
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