CHAMBER BUSINESS CONNECTION 12
Plank ’ s : A Spirit of the Co
I enter Planks on Broadway early in the morning – before the establishment officially opens – to interview the proprietor Bill Plank . He ’ s been chosen as this year ’ s parade Marshal . I expect to be the only person there , but as I enter the sound of laughter and the smell of coffee is already sweeping around the room .
Two men sit at the bar , speaking animatedly and sipping at their caffeine . I approach and introduce myself to the man behind the bar , and ask if he ’ s Bill – we ’ ve never met before .
He turns my attention to the other man , “ No no , he ’ s Bill ” he says , watching my reaction carefully . Confused , and not yet awake , I turn and introduce myself – much to the delight of both men whom burst again into laughter .
The man is not Bill , he explains . His name is Jimmy , Bill is messing with me . Behind the bar , Bill is still laughing . Two more men walk in and grab themselves coffee , seating themselves next to me .
I realized then that this was going to be long a interview . Eventually I wrangle the conversation down and get started .
Bill related the moment Marilyn Reiner of the Chamber , Kay Kahoe and Betty Potts of The Girls Club told him he had been chosen to be the Parade Marshal .
“ They made a big to-do about it . A couple dignitaries came marching in here with my sash and they all gathered around me . I tried running out the back door … It was one heck of a day , right , Marty ?”
John Lechner , a regular , enjoing his morning co
Marty shakes his head up and down , “ yes it was !” he says . Bill laughs turns his attention back to the question of Parade Marshal .
“ I ’ m getting nervous . Heck , I don ’ t know what to expect . Some people say they ’ re going to throw stuff at me and I believe them . I ’ m going to wear safety goggles ,” he says . “ I am !”
The theme of the parade this year is the “ Spirit of the Community .” I ask Bill what he thinks about that , and he becomes a bit uneasy . Planks has been open 23 years – but even after all that time being a staple in the community and all those happy customers , he still has a hard time talking about himself . He ’ s more comfortable throwing jokes ,
His friends at the bar are more than happy to pick up the slack , Bill Plank , Proprietor of Plank ’ s on Broa
CHAMBER BUSINESS CONNECTION 12