Lethbridge Eats: Cafés to Corner Stores - oral history interviews
https://collections.galtmuseum.com/link/descriptions98636
- Description Level
- Series
- Accession No.
- 20211092005
- Physical Description
- 5 audio recordings, 4 transcripts, 5 signed agreements
- Scope and Content
- Interview with Brian Wichers 1 hour 25 mins 44 seconds Wichers grandfather operated several dining rooms and restaurants in Lethbridge, and family had continued to own eateries in the City. Worked in the family business his entire life; grew up expected to take over the family business, and was tr…
- Description Level
- Series
- Creator
- Aimee Benoit
- Physical Description
- 5 audio recordings, 4 transcripts, 5 signed agreements
- History Biographical
- The interviews were created in connection with Galt Museum exhibit “Lethbridge Eats: Cafés to Corner Stores”. The exhibit was on display May 29, 2021 to September 6, 2021. This exhibition delves into the history of what, how, and where we eat. It will explore traditional Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) foodways, and consider how eating preferences have changed in Lethbridge since the late nineteenth century. It will also look at some of the factors influencing those changes: social and cultural attitudes, what’s stocked on grocery store shelves, where food is coming from, how much it costs or how it’s packaged and advertised. Using COVID-conscious interactives and highlighting food-related artifacts from the Galt collections, Lethbridge Eats will invite visitors to reminisce about popular local eateries, consider how food reflects the community’s changing make-up over time and imagine the future of food in southwestern Alberta.
- Scope and Content
- Interview with Brian Wichers 1 hour 25 mins 44 seconds Wichers grandfather operated several dining rooms and restaurants in Lethbridge, and family had continued to own eateries in the City. Worked in the family business his entire life; grew up expected to take over the family business, and was trained in all aspects of the restaurants and food places. Brian Wichers’ and his brother co-owned the family business. Grandfather, Sven Ericksen, had come from Denmark in 1926, and worked in food places in Calgary, started the family company in 1948. Built the family company with wife and daughter, and it was initially a restaurant management company. Grandfather used to manage the Marquis Hotel in Lethbridge, looked after food services for the Lethbridge Curling Club, and worked at the El Rancho Restaurant, until it was burnt down in 1967. Eventually met Colonel Sanders and the two became friends; Sven Ericksen sold Colonel Sanders chicken at the El Rancho. He opened a bakery and a Kentucky Fried Chicken outlet. This was the first KFC in Lethbridge; it was built on 3 Avenue south and was managed by Wichers’ grandfather. Discussed the preparation and expectations of Colonel Sanders and his chicken brand. Family continued to run the Lethbridge Caterers Ltd., also started as a management company. Sven Ericksen’s Family Restaurant was the first restaurant Wichers’ parents and grandfather had started. Family sold Sven Ericksen's Family Restaurant in 2006, and focused on their catering business. Spoke on relationships with customers, and the regular customers that Wichers’ and his family maintained throughout their businesses; customers became like family. Brian Wichers’ took over management duties of the Sven Ericksen’s Family Restaurant in early twenties; brother took over more of the KFC management of the family business. The brothers maintained partnership in the family business for decades. Sold the catering business around 2008, and focused on the KFC part of the business. Spoke on changes in the eatery business. Interview with Denise Hammon 37 mins 8 seconds Denise Hammon owned and operated the bakery, Crazy Cakes, in Lethbridge. A brief history of the bakery business; Babe and Yvonne Harris owned a spudnut eatery business. Worked with Wolfgang Otto, “Mr. Spudnut”, and worked at the spudnut bakery until he sold the building to Hammon in 2007. The process of making spudnuts in the bakery. The bakery was a family business, Hammon worked with her daughters and son. Spoke on how the Hammon’s first met Wolfgang Otto; a chance meeting with his nephew while on a trip to Europe led to meeting Otto in Lethbridge. Discussion on the variety of spudnut flavors and baked goods sold at the bakery. Customers were like family; Hammon reminisced about her favorite cupcakes to make. Spoke on closing the bakery in 2019, and the baking process that day; Hammon spoke on the emotional farewell to the shop and the customers. Emphasized the importance of family; staff and customers as family, and it was a family business. Interview with Mitch Casson 57 mins 59 seconds Born and raised in Lethbridge, Mitch Casson began working in restaurants in 1983 at Buffalo Bill’s, worked in various aspects of the restaurant industry; including bus boy, delivery, supervisor, etc. Went to SAIT to earn certificate in hotel and restaurant administration; worked for hotels, Petro-Canada, and other hospitality and eatery jobs. Eventually opened up Travaglia’s Italian Eatery in Lethbridge, and was co-owner for about four years. After working in various other eateries, Casson became manager of Top Pizza in 1999; Casson and wife bought Top Pizza and ran the restaurant as a family for over fifteen years. Emphasized that all food served at Top Pizza was made from scratch and made in the restaurant. Loyalty of customers and importance of investment in the community. The Casson’s and Top Pizza supported local sports teams, clubs, and the Galt. Changes in how ingredients are bought and importance of supporting the local economy. Casson bought Top Pizza from Louis Tourgelis, who was one of the original restaurant groups in Lethbridge; owned Top’s, Luigi’s, The Place, and others. Top Pizza opened in 1968; spoke on the competition of restaurants, especially pizzerias, in Lethbridge. The high cost of food, and competing with food chains. Highlighted long-time staff member, Lana Walter; inspiration for the Lana Special pizza. History of the Top Pizza building; was over 100 years old with various other businesses that had operated out of it. Interview with Ray Bonetti 50 mins 30 seconds Bonetti was the owner of Streatside Eatery, it originally was opened on 3rd Avenue and opened a second location in downtown Lethbridge in 1985. Discussion on construction of the second location; including first patio in the City, in the 1980s. Spoke on construction of the patio, and people embracing the patio space. Discussion on creation of the name, “Streatside” and connection to other eatery “Treats Eatery”. Treats Eatery was started by Bob and Seary that had opened other restaurants in Medicine Hat. Spoke on how Bonetti started working with business partner, Mike, and opening their restaurant, “Treats” in the 1980s. Bonetti started working at Treats in 1984; worked as a host, at the front of the restaurant, worked on schedules, and management of the business. Around 1985, after Bonetti had worked at Treats for about a year, he bought 20% of the Treats business. Spoke on the satisfaction of the restaurant business, and connection with customers. Cooked everything they sold in their kitchen. Focused on keeping things local, including named burgers after streets in Lethbridge, the Whoop-Up Burger, etc. Specialty items, like the Turtles Cheesecake, vegetable fritters, and pasta salads were staple items of the Streatside menu. Discussion on long-time staff members, and staff as family. Close relationship with City Council members, as Streatside was located next to City Hall building. Discussion on selling Streatside to Steve Oseen; a long-time staff member and manager. Relationship with Oseen and Streatside. Interview with Wolfgang Otto 53 mins 23 seconds Born and raised in Germany, came to Canada in 1956. Was known as Mr. Spudnut. Worked as a dairy butter maker in Winnipeg-area; moved to Lethbridge in 1961 to work at a dairy. Found an apartment to stay in that was above the Spudnuts shop in Lethbridge. The Spudnut shop was owned by Gunther Lebro. Babe Harris owned the Spudnuts shop from 1957 to 1958. Gunther Lebro took over from Babe Harris, and owned the shop from 1958 to 1966. Otto’s wife joined him in Lethbridge, and worked as a teacher at St. Patrick’s School. Otto began working for Gunther Lebro in the Spudnuts shop in September 1965. Worked for Lebro for six months, and then took over the shop. Explanation of daily work in the Spudnuts Shop; would start work at 2-3 am, would bake for most of the day, etc. Discussion on items sold at Spudnuts, and the process of baking the products; including the Graveyard drink. Sold business in 2000. Eventually, Denise Hammon bought the shop and brought Otto to work in the Crazy Cakes bakery; Otto owned and ran the Spudnuts business for over 35 years. Discussion on the spudnuts ingredients, and where the ingredients came from. Spoke on the emotional decision to retire from Spudnuts and selling the shop. A trip Otto took with Denise Hammon to Germany to visit Otto’s family; close relationship with Denise Hammon and Otto. Treated customers like family; importance of customers and staff.
- Accession No.
- 20211092005
- Collection
- Archive
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