Wilson's Sandwich Shop is a restaurant located in Findlay, OH,[1] founded by the owner of the Kewpee Hamburger restaurant in Lima, OH.[5] It is a local institution, known for its square hamburgers, called "hamburgs", and frozen malts. Patrons can get in touch with the community at Wilson's. It is even known as a regular stop for local Courier reporters getting "man-on-the-street perspectives". Various celebrities and politicians have visited throughout the restaurant's history, including singer Johnny Mathis, U.S. Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio, former Vice President Dan Quayle, and President Joe Biden (while vice presidential candidate in 2008).[6]
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| Wilson's Hamburger Shop | |
| Company type | private corporation |
| Industry | Fast Food |
| Founded | 1936 |
| Founder | Hoyt “Stub” F. Wilson |
| Headquarters | , United States |
Number of locations | 1 |
Key people |
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| Products | hamburgers, malts, hot dogs[2][3] |
| Owner |
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Number of employees | 32[1] |
History
editIn 1936, with a Kewpee already located in Findlay, Ohio, Hoyt “Stub” Wilson, the Lima Kewpee licensee, opened a restaurant in Findlay called Wilson's Sandwich Shop.[5] The original building was yellow and the width of a subway car and could host up to 32 diners. It was an example of the "enamel and steel" road food culture. Due to World War II meat rationing, all three of Hoyt Wilson's restaurants added the "Veggie", a special without the meat patty and a historically notable vegetable sandwich.[7]
Hoyt Wilson's estate sold ownership of Wilson's in the 1960s to three managers: Wilbur Fenbert, Harold "Lance" Baker, and Woodie Curtis.[6][7] In the mid-1960s, a new building was constructed.[4][7] The original building stayed open, but was moved to the back of the lot.[7] With the deaths of Baker and Curtis, their spouses took over their ownership interests.
In 2008, then vice presidential candidate Joe Biden stopped at Wilson's while on the campaign trail.[6]
Wilson's faced possible closure in 2009 due to the financial crisis and OSHA fines for their hamburger patty-molding machine's potential pinching and electrical shock hazards. With training and safety precautions not affordable, then-manager Mike Fenbert ceased using the machine and began purchasing premade patties.[6] By March 2010, a new patty machine was purchased to make the patties in house once again.[2]
By 2011, Maxie Curtis was replaced as an owner by Pam Balmer and her sister, Mary Ann Cramer, joining the other two co-owners.[4] By May 2015, Wilson's changed its menu, adding breakfast items, while dropping shredded chicken, pulled pork, and salad (including slaw) and removing slaw from the "Wilson Dog".[3]
In February 2016, Wilbur Fenbert died.[8]
In August 2019, Pat Baker died.[9]
References
edit- ^ a b c "Wilson's Sandwich Shop Profile". Manta Company profiles. Manta Media. Retrieved 2 November 2011.
- ^ a b Wilin, Lou (March 2, 2010). "Wilson's not closing, co-owner maintains". Findlay Courier. Archived from the original on March 3, 2010. Retrieved April 4, 2012.
- ^ a b "Wilson's Listed As An Iconic Ohio Burger Joint". WFIN. Blanchard River Broadcasting Company. May 15, 2015. Retrieved May 16, 2016.
- ^ a b c Cravens, Jordan (August 8, 2011). "Seven decades of sizzling". Findlay Courier. Retrieved 4 April 2012.
- ^ a b Mike Lackey (2008-05-24). "Final words (maybe) on a few recent topics". Lima Ohio.com. Freedom Communications, Inc. Archived from the original on 2012-07-22. Retrieved 2008-06-10.
- ^ a b c d Lou Wilin (30 December 2009). "No hamburgs? Manager says Wilson's in peril". Courier. Retrieved 2 November 2011.
- ^ a b c d Motz, George (2011). "28: Ohio". Hamburger America: Completely Revised and Updated Edition: A State-by-State Guide to 150 Great Burger Joints (revised ed.). Running Press. ISBN 978-0762442348. Retrieved May 16, 2016.
- ^ "Kirkpatrick-Behnke Funeral Home Inc | Findlay, OH Funeral Home & Cremation".
- ^ "Crates Funeral & Cremation Services | Findlay, Arlington, North Baltimore & Kenton OH Funeral Home & Cremation".