Jimmy Stroup
On Balboa Island, where golf carts are considered cars and sandals
are every-occasion footwear, Wilma's Patio has thrived despite the
fickle nature of the surroundings.
Wilma and Maurice Staudinger opened the main-drag storefront at
225 Marine Ave. in 1981 as a breakfast and lunch spot.
Years of popularity ensued.
So Wilma Staudinger and her daughter, Sheri Drewry, who runs the
day-to-day restaurant operation, decided the property was too small
to handle the volume that regularly created long lines on the
sidewalks outside. So, in 1997, the restaurant moved to 203 Marine
Ave.
"Moving here, we got to grow up," Drewry said. "We were getting
too busy down there -- we had 16 tables and we'd have an hour wait."
But there is sadness in leaving the 16-year home of the eatery,
especially since Maurice Staudinger died in 1995, and the restaurant
lost the easy smile and well-worn Hawaiian shirts that had become so
much a part of its culture.
"I miss the old [location] in a lot of ways, especially because of
the influence of my father," Drewry said. "My dad, all he did was
walk around and talk to everybody and visit and pour coffee. He was a
very visible presence there. So I miss that."
The very epitome of a "family restaurant," the Staudingers were
careful to promote that kind of comfortable atmosphere.
"Everybody in here is family and they treat their business like
that," said Jim Warsaw, a 20-year, veteran customer of Wilma's Patio.
Rarely a question is asked about the restaurant that the answer
does not begin, "You know, there's a funny story about that ... "
Keeping customers and employees happy is a goal of Wilma's, which
explains the low turnover rate.
"The cook back there right now, Benny, started day one as our
dishwasher at 15 years old," Drewry said. "The funniest part? His
daughter now works here."
Frequent customers notice. Longtime customer Jim Warsaw traces the
turnover back to the value system that Wilma's takes great steps to
uphold.
"The people who serve, the people who wash the dishes have been
here for years," he said. "Why? Because it's a quality product, they
take care of their customers, and they're courteous and kind. They
genuinely care, and not too many businesses can say that. That's what
people really get here. They get the genuine care and kindness."
For Drewry, it's the patrons who make running the restaurant worth
it.
"You can go big and corporate and make a ton of money," she said.
"But I'm happier staying small but mighty ... greeting people
everyday, getting hugs and getting encouragement, doing a good
service and having a quality business.
"I know a good percentage of people that walk up to the desk. And,
for me, that's the fun. That's the reward right there. To see them
come back all the time, and talk to them and get an update on them
and how they're doing."
Wilma's Patio is open daily at 203 Marine Ave., Newport Beach.
Information: http://www.wilmaspatio.com.
