Several Kansas University students and area residents said they were glad a popular bakery has reopened.
Kansas University students and Lawrence residents on Wednesday embarked on a mission they haven't been able to do in 10 months: A Joe's run.
"I'm glad he's back," said Mary Olson, an office specialist in the KU parking department and one of hundreds of people who made the trip Wednesday to Joe's Bakery, 616 W. Ninth.
The business opened for the first time since November. It had been closed while its owner was handling issues related to his divorce.
"It's been a real, nice steady crowd," said owner Ralph Smith. "A lot of people are telling me they're glad I'm open."
A steady line of customers filled the business off and on Wednesday.
"We live right behind Joe's, and we've been disappointed since last Thanksgiving," said David Kessler, a KU junior from Lawrence who lives in the 800 block of Indiana.
He stopped by to purchase an egg salad sandwich, a favorite among many customers.
Others, such as Chris Dalbom, a KU junior from Lenexa, were buying glazed donuts and cookies.
"You can't go wrong with candy sprinkles," he said.
"I was looking forward to it all day," said Emily Demartini, a KU senior from Lenexa.
"Several of my friends came over this morning and they were taunting me with their chicken salad sandwiches," she said.
Sherry Blede, a Kansas Air National Guard master sergeant, said she drove from Topeka just to buy pastries from Joe's.
"I was tickled to death," she said. "I love his cream horns. They're great."
Although Smith said he plans to remain open Monday through Saturday, the business will now close at 9 p.m. instead of 2 a.m., so that he can spend more time with his children and get more rest.
Joe's will open at 9 a.m. daily.
But Smith said he hoped to stay open later on some nights, especially when the college basketball season starts.
Wednesday's business, he reported, was steady, but not so busy that it overwhelmed him.
"It's really nice to be busy, but I'm glad I'm not any busier," he said.
-- Michael Dekker's phone message number is 832-7187. His e-mail address is mdekker@ljworld.com.
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