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Local News

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

No hamburgs? Manager says Wilson's in peril
Diamond Mine Direct
By LOU WILIN

STAFF WRITER

Wilson's Sandwich Shop is in danger of going out of business, Manager Mike Fenbert said Tuesday.

The Findlay institution at the corner of Main and Hardin streets, which has served hamburgers and malts since the Depression, is famished by declining business, the bad economy and competition, Fenbert said.

"We are about to shut down," he said. "We still go through a thousand hamburgs a day. We used to go through double that ... Since I took over (as manager five years ago), we lost money every year."

Fenbert's father, Wilbur, has a 40 percent ownership interest, he said. But two other people with ownership interests, Maxie Curtis and Pat Baker, have no plans to close the business.

"There are no plans to close Wilson's Sandwich Shop," Curtis and Baker said. They will be meeting to discuss the restaurant's future, they said.

Fenbert, who works with the restaurant daily, described a business accumulating troubles.

Perhaps the last straw, he said, will be $2,100 in proposed fines it faces from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

The agency said employees have been exposed to risks involving a hamburger patty molding machine: potential finger and hand pinches; potential electrical shock and increased risk of electrocution.

Fenbert has referred the allegations to an attorney, and is "doing away with the (patty-making) machines," he said.

He said he cannot afford to take the equipment precautions and offer employee training the safety administration would require.

"I am going to buy patties until we close down," he said.

Curtis and Baker said Tuesday they were unaware of the proposed federal penalties. A Curtis family member said they would do whatever they can to prevent the restaurant from closing.

Wilson's was opened in 1936 by H.F. Wilson of Lima. In the 1960s, ownership was purchased from the Wilson family by three employees: Wilbur Fenbert, Harold "Lance" Baker and Woodie Curtis, Mike Fenbert said. Baker and Curtis have died, and their spouses now hold ownership interest, along with Wilbur Fenbert.

For decades, Wilson's has been a favorite hangout of adults and elected officials.

It gained a reputation as the place to catch up on Findlay's scuttlebutt and to get a feel of the community's pulse. Courier reporters for decades have gone there for man-on-the-street perspectives for the news stories of the day.

It also has been a stop for dignitaries and celebrities visiting Findlay, like Vice President Joe Biden on the campaign trail last year; U.S. Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio; former Vice President Dan Quayle; singer Johnny Mathis and others.

Wilin: 419-427-8413,

Send an e-mail to Lou Wilin


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118 Comments (12 pages)

Latest comments listed first.
jen wrote:
wilson's
“ I have an idea....Why don't they have a fundrasier for wilson's, maybe they can raise enough money to 1. pay the 2grand they were fined 2. remodel and buy new equipment 3. train the employees to use gloves and pull there hair up and maybe say welcome to wilson's with a smile and not an attitude or what can i get ya...understandable they do get busy durning lunch and dinner but hey u stil have to be nice we do pay your wages. I think wilson's can be saved if they really want it to be. I think they should do a fundraiser and take a loan out for what ever else they need. close for two weeks get the place remodeled, cleaned up and either hirer new employees or train the ones you got to do there job and do it with a smile and the correct way..I used to loike wilson's too but anymore it's gone down hill and to save it the owners need to sacrafice to keep it...and the community needs to help as much as they can..If everyone pulls together i think they can do it, and why not ask Marathon for a donation there employee's hit the place everyday and pack it, i am sure they would donate to help... ”
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 8:27:10 AM
DIANE HENIFIN wrote:
WILSON'S HAS CHANGED!!!
“ HELLO, I HAVE EATEN AT WILSON'S SINCE I WAS 4 OR 5 (1945)...MY GRANDFATHER AND I ALWAYS HIT WILSON'S AFTER A MOVIE. THROUGH THE YEARS OF LIVING IN MANY STATES I FREQUENTLY RETURN TO FINDLAY. MAIN REASON? WILSON'S! OF COURSE I VISIT FRIENDS/FAMILY ALSO. EACH TIME OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE. THOUGHT PERHAPS IT WAS A FLUKE, BAD DAY. BUT, MY BROTHER IN COLUMBUS STOPPED THERE THIS PAST SUMMER. HE SAID IT WAS NOT CLEAN, SERVICE POOR, BURGERS NO FLAVOR. THIS HAS LONG BEEN A HUGH PART OF FINDLAYS HISTORY. WHAT A SAD STATE TO SEE THIS PRIZED BURGER PLACE LOSING TO CORRECTABLE AREAS BY FOLLOW THROUGH BY IT'S OWNERS/MGR....SAD! THIS INFO WAS FORWARDED TO ME BY MY SISTER IN WASHINGTON STATE, I AM IN COLORADO....SO IT IS FAR REACHING. WE ALWAYS HAVE DIETSCHES CANDY. THIS IS A MUST FOR ME ALSO...EVERY YEAR I AM GIFTED WITH A BOX OF MY FAVORITES BY A DEAR FRIEND. PLEASE RETURN WILSON'S BACK TO QUALITY FOOD, SERVICE.
THANKS! ”
Monday, February 15, 2010 12:35:43 PM
kathy wrote:
Wilson's
“ I grew up in Findlay (on the south side) and frequented Wilson's for many years. It was one place I always went when coming back to my hometown. That changed around the late 60's or early 70's, when it just didn't taste like it used to. I was told that when the Wendy's chain started up they bought the hamburger and frosty recipes from Wilson's. In that sale, Wilson's supposedly agreed to alter their recipe. Is there anything to that story, or is it another urban myth?

Now when I visit Findlay the two places I always go are Dietsch's and the West End. ”
Tuesday, January 19, 2010 3:11:16 PM
S Malone wrote:
Wilsons
“ After reading about the nose picking episode I cant force myself to eat there again. I have noticed no gloves are worn and the place really needs cleaned up, I have never had anyone rude to me maybe I was just lucky. I also have noticed the food isnt what it used to be years ago. Close it down a week clean it up re-train your employees and please make them keep thier hair up and gloves on and changed frequently ”
Tuesday, January 05, 2010 10:56:31 AM
Scott wrote:
Wilson's
“ I think wilsons is GROSS, very DIRTY and employees are very RUDE. I hate when people say its the wilsons experience, thats a dumb reason to be rude to customers. The place is also really OLD and it smells like dirty gym socks in there. I rather eat out of the dumpster then go back to wilsons again. They dont even accept credit or debit cards, wake up its 2010. I hope it closes and the building gets torn down to make way for a NEW restaurant, like a White Castle or a Sonic Drive-In. ”
Tuesday, January 05, 2010 1:28:35 AM
Becky wrote:
Wilson's
“ For 40 years my whole Family has gone to Wilson's, And we know everyone of them up there by name. The place is the BEST in town for getting caght up on the daily things going on in the world, When there's no paper around to read. Wilson's was always there for the needy and homeless to just give them a place to rest inside from the cold or even give you a cup of free coffee if you didn't have the money to pay for it. You don't see that anymore. Wilson's is an ICON in Findlay and needs to stay, They are my Family. ”
Tuesday, January 05, 2010 12:39:22 AM
Christina wrote:
Page to check out
“ check out this facebook page http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=wall&gid=230557653878 ”
Monday, January 04, 2010 8:53:38 PM
kewpee fan wrote:
Wilson's
“ I have been in Wilson's different times in the last 20years since I have lived in Findlay. In the last couple of years, I noticed that the lady that makes the hamburgers (rude and older) also handled the money and does NOT wear gloves for making the burgers. I reported her to our local health official, and he said he'd make a note of it. He did mention that he had previous complaints about this issue. Personally, I don't think he did anything about it. On a different occasion (yes I went back), the girl that was making the fries picked her nose and didn't wash her hands. AND SHE DIDN'T HAVE GLOVES ON! I'm not sure that would have made a difference. I haven't been back since. It's really a health issue. ”
Monday, January 04, 2010 4:21:04 PM
Don Shalazar wrote:
Wilson's
“ Amy just a little info. OSHA has the responsibility of ensuring nearly 105 million private sector workers have a safe workplace environment and 6.9 million establishments are meeting the safety requirements according to the OSHA Act. They do this with about 2500 safety and health compliance officers. For OSHA to inspect Wilsons there had to be a complaint filed with their office. Wilsons had probably never been inspected before, hence they (OSHA) would never have gotten an opportunity to find the patty press prior to the inspection. They did their job and found a hazard and told the management to fix the problem. The buck stops with management; it is their responsibility to ensure that all work processes do not expose employees to injury.

I have frequented Wilson's for 30 years and have noticed how it has changed over the years. Ultimately, management has failed to live up to its responsibilities (i.e. customer service, fiscal responsibility, cleanliness). If $2K has the potential to shutdown Wilson's then maybe they should close. But that would be a shame if that happened. I remember going there on Saturday's with my dad and uncle many years ago ... such great memories. I hope they take the time to read and listen to the suggestions that patrons have made to make Wilsons the "great" place that it once was.
 ”
Monday, January 04, 2010 2:23:06 PM
A Better Burger wrote:
Head a Few Miles North...
“ At this point, I'll simply be echoing some of the comments that many others have left, but I'd still like to add my two cents...

I'm 26 years old and have been a resident of Findlay my entire life. I grew up on the South end of town and a weekly trip to/through Wilson's was always a dietary staple. Back in those days, the burgers were always juicy, the fries were always crisp, and the malts were always cold and thick - all exactly as they should be.

I've since moved to the North end of town and over the years, the return trips to Wilson's became less and less frequent. This was mainly a product of distance, but I'd still make the occasional trip if craving one of my childhood favorites or when traveling near the old sandwich shop. Recently, however, the reasoning for the infrequent Wilson's visits shifted from being based on inconvenience to being based on quality and taste. The last several Wilson's burgers I've eaten were significantly smaller, extremely dry and/or overcooked, and at a less than optimal temperature - all far cries from what I grew up eating.

Several other posters have been spot on about Keith's Dugout on North Main Street in Findlay. What Keith's is today is what Wilson's was years ago - and still should be - today. If you're looking for the best quick burger in Findlay, pull out of the Wilson's parking lot and just head a few miles north on Main...you won't be disappointed.

I, too, would like to see Wilson's survive this entire episode, but I think that this feeling is based more on nostalgia than anything else. We've certainly reached a sad state when my favorite thing about Wilson's has become the historic building and location and not the food. To those continuing to sing the modern-day praises of the sandwich shop, take off the burger-tinted lenses and ask yourself - if the shop were to fold, would you really miss your recent experiences, or your memories from yesteryear?

I, for one, know what my answer would be. ”
Monday, January 04, 2010 10:29:11 AM
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News Briefs Firefighters discover 20 marijuana plants in house
After fighting a house fire early Monday at 815 Howard St., firefighters found 20 marijuana plants in the residence.

"They ran across it and called us," said police Sgt. Justin Hendren with the Hancock County METRICH Drug Enforcement Unit.

Police seized all 20 plants, and Hendren said charges are pending.

High-powered growing lights, fans, and a box filled with dried marijuana were also found in the house, according to a police report.

Investigators said an electrical short started the fire before 3 a.m. Monday.

The blaze caused an estimated $12,000 in damage to the residence, owned by Amanda Crawford. No one was injured, according to the Findlay Fire Department.

Carey announces holiday closing
CAREY -- Carey offices, including administrative, income tax and utilities, electric, wastewater treatment plant, and public works, will be closed Monday in observance of Labor Day.

The curbside recycling program will be held Tuesday through Thursday, Sept. 7-9.

Findlay trooper named sergeant
Trooper Jacob L. Fletcher, assigned to the Findlay post of the State Highway Patrol, was promoted to sergeant Wednesday by Patrol Superintendent Col. David Dicken.

With the promotion, Fletcher will stay at the Findlay post and serve as an assistant post commander, according to the patrol.

Fletcher began his patrol career in 2002 after graduating from the 139th Academy class and has been assigned to the Findlay post since.

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The Toledo and Findlay campuses of Owens Community College will be closed Saturday through Monday for the Labor Day holiday.

There will be no classes and the college offices will be closed.

Classes will resume and offices will open again on Tuesday.

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