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Social media, an old supermarket, and donuts
A recent posting on Facebook included a picture of the old O&B Supermarket. In just minutes, many locals and former Nevada residents, connected through Facebook and emails with their memories of that store and another business, Witte's Bakery, located next door.
During a phone interview with local attorney, Bryan Breckenridge, (his father was once co-owner of the store, which was signified by the "B" in the title), he related some of his own memories.
Bryan's father, Keith, passed away when Bryan was quite young. Bryan did remember, that his father did most of his work in the front end grocery section of the store. Clarence Oberlin, the other co-owner, spent most of his time in the meat shop.
O&B was highly valued by so many in that era. The staff was friendly, and knew most of their shoppers by their first names. Many Nevada customers would only buy their meat from O&B. Clarence often cooked food that was fresh and delicious, and Bryan could still remember the enticing aromas, that filled the back of the store.
Breckenridge also recalled several instances when he accompanied his father on a trip to Pittsburg, Kan., to pick up a truckload of fresh produce. His father wanted the best and freshest fruits and vegetables sitting in his cold cases.
Former Nevada resident, Steve Spillman, was able to add more background history for the supermarket. He noted that his uncle, Sam Pryor, had returned from World War II, and was a co-owner of the store with Oberlin until he sold his share to Breckenridge, in the mid 50s.
O&B Supermarket was located 1/2 block west of the Square, on the south side of Walnut Street. Across the street was the A&P Grocery store, where one now finds the Nevada Public Library and Bushwhacker Museum. Right next door to O&B on its west side, was another legendary business, Witte's Bakery. Jim and Bonnie Witte were the owners of the bakery. They had three children, Jim, Mike, and Judy.
Judy Witte Wesemann said, "Mom would send me next door to have Clarence slice up ham and cheese for sandwiches on our fresh baked bread. O&B had one of those old style Coke machines. It cost a dime, but it was the coldest pop in town. We helped in the bakery making bread, donuts, and 9-inch pies for 55 cents."
Jim Witte remembered the fresh bread they baked there, and the other delicious offerings. The most popular were the glazed donuts, the maple iced long johns, and the crispies (that last one was my personal favorite).
I received literally dozens of emails, texts, and Facebook responses regarding memories of these two businesses. It is a testament to the quality of their products and service. One email in particular set it in perspective for me. It was from NHS graduate Doug Gundy.
I worked at O&B Market during the summers of '65, '66, and '67. I went to several stores around the Square in '65 near the end of the school year looking for a summer job. I got a call back from Clarence Oberlin, and started my high school grocery store career at 50 cents an hour, 55 hours a week. Saturday was an 11-hour day. Clarence must have thought I was doing okay, because he bumped me up to 60 cents. Ultimately I was raised to $1 per hour.
Clarence worked the meat department along with Lowell Pryor's dad, and after a while, Clarence showed me how to cut up and package chickens. I stacked groceries, and later was trusted to run the cash register. Clarence was famous for making his homemade potato salad. He taught me to help him make 5 gallons at a time.
Two other men who worked there at the same time were Bob Current and Leo Smith. Clarence told me he couldn't compete with the larger supermarkets in pricing. He said we had to make up for that with very good service. That always meant greeting the customers by name, carrying their groceries to the their cars, taking special orders for meat, and in general making them feel as if it was their own special boutique store! I learned a lot working there, and I wish kids today had the opportunity to work for a small businessmen like Clarence Oberlin.
The Nevada of today does not have places like O&B or Witte's Bakery. They were just a couple of the host of small businesses in the Nevada of my youth. Places where they did know your name and had owners who were members of the community and dedicated to the success of other local businesses.
I was taught in my own home that we always bought everything we possibly could from local merchants. My father always said, "that money stays here!"
Today if you want groceries you have three choices, Wal-Mart, Woods, and multiple convenience and dollar stores. There is no O&B or Maxwells to call and order meat directly from someone you knew personally.
Several places have donut offerings, but I wonder how many of them make those from scratch, instead of just the frozen prepackaged dough. How many of them have three kids helping their parents make the products daily? It's not just nostalgia that made so many have fond memories of these businesses. It is what many of us would like to see again in our town, locally owned, small, friendly, service oriented, businesses!