This article is unpublished at this posting and the writer, David Slaughter II, writes for the Harper County Herald and he gave me permission to post this recent article he wrote. I have enjoyed being neighbors with the Konkels on 160 for years and enjoyed this so wanted to share it here.
Of all the businesses along Highway 160 in Harper, there resides a place where travelers and locals alike can come in, get something good to eat, and be treated like a friend. And, even if you don’t favor one of the many Kansas collegiate sports teams, like K-State or KU, it doesn’t matter. You are always invited to eat at the Country Creamery.
The Country Creamery is a family operated business with Jim and Mary Elen Konkel as owners. But, don’t let their titles as owners concern you, because they are right in the middle of the needed operations and hospitality that make this business just as successful today as when it began 23 years ago.
Ye ole History
Jim Konkel began his life in the restaurant business while living in Kingman, Kansas in his early years. At that time, he worked for his father, who owned the Hub Café. And, after Jim’s father retired from the business after fifteen years, he passed a legacy to his son and the Hub Café continued to thrive.
“When I took over”, said Jim. “I already knew the ins and outs of the business, which helped with future businesses- including the Creamer. I kept the Hub running for seventeen more years after my father left it to me.”
When Jim and his wife, Mary Ellen, moved to Harper, they had not come without existing prospects. Not only did Jim operate the Hub Café in Kingman, but they also had another business in their new home town. It was and remains known as the Country Creamery.
“We began the Creamery 23 years ago”, reflected Jim. “I remember because Mary was still pregnant with our son.”
Even with the Creamery beginning in the late 1980s, Jim and Mary Ellen didn’t move to run solely this Harper establishment until the 1990s.
The history of the Country Creamery itself is an interesting one. And, not just because of who currently owns the business. The building has been a gas station, a sandwich shop, and even a previous restaurant, known as the French Roll.
“When I bought the building, it was known as the French Roll. At that time, the building was smaller, consisting of this room (known as the Old Dining Room) and part of the neighboring room (which serves as the ice cream foyer).”
When the Konkels took over, they immediately set out to expand the small establishment, which now has a seating capacity of 100. Included in the renovation is a much larger room, known as the New Dining Room. As for the Old Dining Room, it now serves as a dedication to the three colleges the Konkels’ children attended- Kansas State, Kansas University, and Fort Hays State.
Pointing to a small single booth resting high on a platform within the Old Dining Room is a room dedicated solely to the KU Jayhawks (which Jim and Mary are avid fans of). According to Jim, “There will be young people who will come in and see that one room. And, it is funny. If it is occupied, the kids will actually wait for that one room to open.”
Family Atmosphere
Whether your last name is Smith, Johnson, Jones, or whatever, if you visit the Country Creamery, you can expect to be treated more like family than as a customer. As such, Mr. Jim (as Jim is referred to by everyone) is making up the good food along side his kitchen staff and Mary Ellen is hosting and serving along side daughter Kimberly and other wait staff on shift.
Mary Ellen loves to converse with those who walk the floors of the Creamery and takes the time to, not only ask how someone is, but also gives genuine interest to travelers who have stopped in for something good from the menu. Kimberly, who came to work with her parents after college, is similar to her mother in making people from all over feel welcome. But, always a show stealer is Mr. Jim, who amusingly says he is often the center of attention. However, perhaps that may be a bit overstating.
As strangers come from miles around, including Harper, Anthony, Argonia, Attica, Kingman, and even from Wichita, the Konkel family and the Country Creamery are always glad to have them come. As for those who work for the Creamery, whether related or not, the atmosphere for them is just as admirable. In fact, during the interview with Jim, one kitchen cook had just ended her shift and came to let Jim know she would be back the next day for work. Jim beckoned the employee to him, to which the young lady responded. Motioning, as if he had a secret only for her, she bent toward her boss. And, not making it completely secret, Jim said in a loud whisper, “I’ll see you tomorrow”, which was a repeat of what the worker had originally said to Jim before hand.
The family business and friendly atmosphere has kept people coming back time and time again. Of course, having a great menu selection always helps, and in the case of the Country Creamery, this is certainly what you will find. Jim describes what one will find in the decorative menus as “eclectic”.
“It offers southwest or Mexican. Sandwiches. Desserts. Menu is dedicated with single pages for each style of food. We have Italian, including spaghetti and fettuccini Alfredo. Salad bar. 16 different kinds of hamburgers. Most people who eat here say the Mr. Jim burger is the best one we offer. It is half-turkey and half-ham with selected cheese. I called it that because if it is good for Mr. Jim, it is good for them.”
Country Creamery is opened Tuesday through Sunday from 11 AM to 8 PM. It is located at 123 E. 14th Street in Harper. 14th Street is also known as Highway 160. And, while people do venture to Harper and pay visits to the Creamery, Mr. Jim says, “I am waiting for the Casinos to open up in Wichita and Wellington because it will be a big shot in the arm because of the highway traffic going and coming to there.”