![]() ![]() “We were allowed to stay open during a time where some people had to leave and were scared. “You just had to figure out what was best for today and then scramble again tomorrow to figure out what to do again,” Kitzler said. ![]() Because Leaning Tower is carry-out only, they remained open through it all. When the peak of the coronavirus hit, many restaurants were closing down or altering how they were run. ![]() It was never an option just to take the money and run and not reopen,” Kitzler said. “MaryJane always said that she planned to reopen the place for the community. The community showed an incredible amount of support, anxious to see their favorite spot come back. Workers united together and worked excessively to keep the historical establishment alive. In 2004, there was a gas explosion, which posed the question of if and when they would reopen. It all just works and keeps the feeling of a family business,” Kitzler said. “It sticks with the family dynamic because Maryjane and Greg were my parents best friends. I got her a job here and she’s been here ever since,” Kitzler said. At that time Kathy wasn’t even living in this town, but we had been best friends since second grade. He started in, probably 1993, and got me a job here in the spring of ‘96. Managers Sean Kitzler and Kathy Parr have stuck alongside each other for most of their lives, sharing a long-lasting friendship and working together to help keep the Tower going. In 1992, the business was sold to Greg and Maryjane Gemzer, and Maryjane still runs it. Hazel Howman created the famous submarine sandwich bread recipe which is still used to this day. Many customers describe the building to be like a time capsule, eyes glued to the walls and ceiling, reminiscing on times when they came there years ago. Gradually, Hess adorned the walls with numerous posters, many of which still remain today.įor a period of time, there was a psychedelic hearse painted by Hess’ first wife that was rumored to have delivered food for a while. Providing a unique, welcoming atmosphere, citizens flocked to the Tower to order food and play on old pinball machines. Around Christmas of 1957, Joe Hess opened Leaning Tower, which quickly became one of the hotspots in town. ![]()
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