Kansas State University - Royal Purple Yearbook (Manhattan, KS)

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Tradition It way for progress For as long as Nina Miley could remember, nighttime trips to Swanson ' s Bakery — better known as Swannie ' s — had been a routine for K-State students. The Yum-Yum tradition was forced to a temporary end when the decision to build a downtown mall led Richard Swannie Swanson to close his doors in December 1985. But the Yum-Yum tradition returned one month after Swannie ' s closing with a new Swannie. Nina Miley became the new owner of Swanson ' s Bakery. I always thought about going into or something similar, so I went to look at Swanson ' s when I found out Swannie was leaving. After I looked at it, I thought it would be something I ' d really like to do, could put all my energy into and be good at. So I purchased the business and we opened Jan. 14, Miley said. Miley said she had to negotiate with the in order to reopen the bakery, because the building was going to be demolished to prepare for the mall construction. There were many steps we had to go through to get things situated, but we went through them one step at a time and the city decided to let me keep the bakery open until March 15. Then I will have to find a new location, Miley said. Miley said she had looked at a lot of buildings but the search was a complicated process because of poor locations and high rent for most buildings. I thought about moving to Aggieville, but I talked to students about it and found they like to go someplace that ' s different instead of just walking across the street in Aggieville. The guys like to pack all the girls they can into the car and go someplace with them. It gives them an excuse to get close to them, Miley said jokingly. Miley said the central location of Swanson ' s also brought in business from the downtown area, and she wa nted to stay close to downtown after the mall construction began. I have two completely different types of customers. During the day we sell cakes, rolls and pastries, while Yum-Yums (a special type of fried Danish roll Swannie created) are the big nighttime seller at our back door. There are two completely markets to serve. Miley said Miley said she wanted to continue the back door operation at night when she moved to a new location to continue serving the two different clientele. The only change Miley implemented was the hours the back door was open. Instead of staying open all night, the closing time was changed to between 1 and 1:30 a.m., depending on when the inventory sold out. Swannie used to stay all night and operate a mixer so he could keep making doughnuts. He would stay open until 2 a.m. on weekends, Miley said. Miley said Swannie ' s wife helped with the daytime operation, an advantage she doesn ' t have. There were two Swansons, but there is only one of me. So I have to set a schedule that I can live with, while at the same time get a sufficient amount of sleep, Miley said. When Swanson ' s relocates, Miley will add some new features. Bagels will be added to the menu and the new bakery will also include a coffee shop and a deli. I want to arrange the bakery to allow people to sit down for pastries and coffee in the morning, and have the deli to serve lunch. I think these changes will be a real added attraction, Miley said. Miley said she wouldn ' t have purchased the bakery, but the circumstances were right and she couldn ' t pass up the opportunity. Swannie wasn ' t going out of business or anything like that. It was just the decision to build the mall that closed him down. I wouldn ' t have just gone out on my own and done this without the background Swanson ' s had, Miley said. Swannie moved to Texas and began traveling as a troubleshooter repairing bakery equipment. It ' s a perfect job for him. They both (the Swansons) feel very positive about their move. They also want to help me make Swanson ' s a successful business, Miley said. Swannie left advice with Miley on what he thought was profitable and what he thought I could be eliminatated. The students who come in are positive about the change of ownership, Miley said. Of course they miss Swannie, but from the way business has been going, I think the Yum-Yum tradition will live on. — Jim Lundstrom Tish Tracey balances a tray while stepping on a levee to raise the glazing rack. (Photo by Andy Nelson) Mike Hilliard points to his selection for Nina Miley new owner of Swanson ' s Bakery. Miley continued the late-night hours of the bakery made popular by Swannie. Manhattan Town Center Mall Penney Co. Inc., New York. The developers were responsible for obtaining funding for the $24 million structure. Two anchor stores, Dillard ' s, an Arkansas-based department store chain, and J.C. Penney Co. Inc., signed contracts to occupy mall locations. The J.C. Penney store will replace its current Manhattan facility at Fourth and Houston streets. Despite delays, the city planned for a June 1986 groundbreaking ceremony, with the mall ' s grand opening scheduled for August 1987. The mall project also prompted of facilities for businesses displaced by the mall, including the Colorado Center in the 300 block of Colorado Street and the Town East Shopping Center, along U.S. Highway 24 east of K-Mart and Food-4-Less. A new site for office space, Colony Square Office Complex, was to be located on the south side of the 500 block of Poyntz Avenue. — Tom Schultes 52 Swannie ' s

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Construction Begins on Town Center Mall backroom of Mel ' s provides a cozy place for a group of girls to get together. (Photo by Andy Nelson) A Mels customer enjoys a frosty fishbowl of beer. (Photo by Jeff Taylor) After 10 years of dreaming, planning and controversy, 1986 marked the beginning of construction for the Manhattan Town Center Mall. In the first step toward the mall, the city acquired businesses and land for the project. The mall was planned for an area bordered on the east by Tuttle Creek Boulevard, on the west by Third Street, by Leavenworth Street on the north and Pierre Street to the south. To fund the site acquisition and site clearance, the city obtained $9 million in temporary notes to be paid by an Urban Development Action Grant. Although all properties east of Third Street were to be vacated by mid- Jan uary 1986, several businesses received extensions due to legal actions contesting prices offered for acquisition. During condemnation and eminent domain actions by the city, several land and business owners filed appeals concerning just compensation, original offers by the city of Manhattan. During the appeals in Riley County District Court, three court-appointed appraisers returned with awards which were almost always higher than the city ' s original offers. Following acquisition and site preparation, the land was turned over to the project ' s co-developers, Forest City Rental Properties Inc. of Cleveland and JCP Realty, a subsidiary of the J.C. (continued on page 52) Downtown Redevelopment 51

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A long stretch is required of Nina Miley as she leans to grab a cinnamon roll for a customer while students wait in line to be served. Miley bought the bakery from Richard Swanson and reopened the business in January. (Photo by Andy Nelson) Mike Hilliard can ' t wait to enjoy his Yum-Yum as his friends make their selections. Miley learned Swannie ' s technique of making the famous Yum- Yum before he retired to Texas. (Photo by Andy Nelson) Swannie ' s 53