University of North Carolina at Asheville
D. Hiden Ramsey Library
Special Collections/University Archives

Oral History Register
for

John O. (Buck) and Janet Buchanan

OH-VOA B831 Jo

Voices of Asheville Oral History Collection
D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNCA

Title

Creator

Dorothy Joynes for Voices of Asheville Oral History Collection

Subject

LCSH:
Buchanan, John O. (Buck)
Buchanan, Janet
Asheville (N.C.) -- History
Restaurants -- North Carolina -- Asheville

Subject

Keyword: Buck's Restaurant ; Asheville City Council ; Asheville Chamber of Commerce ; Pack Place ; Beacon Manufacturing Company ; Tunnel Road

Description

Abstract: John describes his experience owning and running his own restaurant, which opened in 1946 and was sold in 1976.  He discusses the changes that occurred in the restaurant over time, particularly the effect that the traffic cut made on his Tunnel Road business. Janet talks about her experiences in the restaurant, where she worked as a hostess, waitress and cook.  John talks about his service on the Asheville City Council, Chamber of Commerce, and Highway Commission, where he was active in promoting changes for Asheville.  He also discusses Pack Place and problems with attempts to revitalize downtown Asheville.

Publisher

D. H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, University of North Carolina at Asheville, NC, 28804

Contributor

Date

Electronic Record Issued: 2002-04-03

Type

Sound ; Text ; Image

Format

Physical Description: 9-page abstract ; 1 90-minute audiocassette and 1 copy ; 4 color photographs ; newspaper articles and brochures

Identifier

Source

OH-VOA B831 Jo

Language

English

Relation

References: VOA Pless_Bowman Oral History ; VOA George Coggins Oral History ; VOA Hyman Dave Oral History

Coverage

Acquisition

Donor number: 146 ;  Date of acquisition: 1998

Processed By

Dorothy Joynes, Ruth Beard and staff

Interview Date

Interview Location

Biography

List of names

Side 1:

His father ran a 5 and 10 store in Tyron and his father asked him to open a store in Swannanoa for his sister which he did in 1933.  By the time she returned it had been expanded to three buildings.  [Vivian Gibson]

[27]  He went to work at Beacon Manufacturing Company [blanket manufacturer] and played basketball for them, winning four state championships [Coach Dobson, Jim Ferguson, Hughie Nash]

[56]  He was in charge of overseeing the cafeteria at Beacon.  He had worked in the restaurant business, in a Toasties sandwich shop in Spartanburg and several Greek restaurants.

[65] He started his restaurant on Tunnel Road alone but had backing.  At that time there was a small grocery store, which sold whiskey, and two log cabins on the road.  Many people didn't want the cut but he promoted it and it made his (see Lawrence Toms, Griffin tapes ) restaurant a success.  He could serve 60 people in the dining room.  He never served liquor. [Bill Ore, Jack Smith]

[100] Janet came here in 1975 and describes the restaurant.  There were three layers.  Many dignitaries came and reservations were made in advance.  The restaurant opened in 1946. [Grace Kelly, Billy and Ruth Graham]

[134]  He didn't leave Beacon to start his restaurant but continued to cater breakfast and dinner to the 2,000 workers.  He went there every day.

[153]  The restaurant was built to seat 100 people.  For a time there was car service.  Janet said curb service stopped when fast food restaurants competed.  His was the largest operation in NC with 165 employees.  When she came, the only thing operating was the Red Carpet Room.  [Buddy Patton, Marilyn Patton]

[188] He sold Bucks and then took it back 2-3 years later.  He reopened in 1975.  It was at this time Janet came.

[198] The slowest period was winter.  A lot of regulars came almost every day.  [Weldon Weir]

[215]  He was on the city council when pay was raised from $12,000 to 17,000  a year.

[246]  People came to the restaurant from all over the country - the largest number from the Midwest.  They came because the city is noted for its beauty, moderate prices, good places to stay and to see the Biltmore House.

[262]  He describes the interior of Bucks which grew as time went by.  He had 9 acres.  Applebys, a furniture store and the State Revenue Office are on the land now.

[301] Janet said women would pour liquor into glasses in the ladies room and take them into the lounge - charged $3.00 (for set ups?) wine was $4.50 -They didn't make much on wine.  She worked as hostess, waitress or cook as needed.  She had worked in a hospital before they were married - she was a dietary supervisor.  She lived next door to a friend of his where they met in Florida.

[348]  When Buck went to Beacons for the baseball team he was earning 33 cents an hour.

[371]  Janet, who is going to be 74, worked for 25 cents an hour in Chicago.  A letter cost 2 cents and a bus ride 5 cents.  She walked one mile 4 times a day when she went to school.

[385] He has fed a lot of parties.  Big banquets were held at Recreation Park Pavilion.  Three thousand people were served and 10 lines were needed.  The park was leased for Beacon employees and 3 slicing machines were used to feed the people from 4 to 7.

[437]  While on city council he worked on transportation.  Weir was the boss.  [Terry Sanford, Weldon Weir]

[457] He mentions men he served with (see Johnson tape)  [Charles (Charlie) Dermid, P. Greer Johnson]

[470] He was on the Highway Commission when the road projects were set up.  The churches were against the cut and wanted another tunnel.  He sold the cut to the Highway Commission. (see Griffin, Toms and Lawrence tapes)

[524]  The university started in his back dining room.  The new gym was discussed and named (see Terrell tape). He bet $1,000 on a game and lost (she stopped him from doing it again). [Charlie "Choo Choo" Justice]

Fast forward to

Side 2:

While most people are comfortable in Asheville there are, outside Enka, no high paying jobs.

[2/27]  He worked with the Chamber of Commerce and was very active in all the changes.  He was not involved in West Asheville and considers it a different town - independent and separated by the river.  It is easier to get a job there but the pay is less.

[2/42]  Bucks was sold in 1976 and people still talk about it. He was always in front a lot talking with people.  Janet was hostess, cashier and took reservations.

[2/54]  He took food from Bucks to Beacons.  A woman at Beacons worked with the vending machines for 40 years.  Coffee sold for 10 cents.  She was very reliable.

[2/70]  Waitresses made good money at Bucks.  They were given $17.40 a week but one waitress who knew which people tipped well and could make $100 on a Saturday night.  She also gave extra shrimp and the center cut of beef.  Other restaurants usually paid $4.00 a day and tips.  Now there is a minimum wage set and tips are split.  [Buddy Patton, Bobby Ball]

[2/110]  There were no colored waitresses in 1946 but there was a colored chef, cook, bakery lady and salad girl.

[2/120]  When blacks started to come in they tipped as well as anyone else.

[2/126]  He lived on Kimberly, was on the board of the Asheville Country Club and in charge of the food. He was friends with the president and Dave. (see his tape)  The club was in the old building and he served food from the second floor.  He shot 72.  The club was sold to Grove Park.  The new one was built but does not have the same grace.  The Six Associates built the building.  [Dr. Carmen Brown, Hyman Dave, Tony Lord]

[2/227] Many people from Beacon lived in Biltmore Forest.  People coming to town want to live there.  The area is exclusive - not nice to new residents.  [Charles Holmes Jr.]

[2/255]  Janet belongs to the Asheville Country Club in Beaver Lake area.  She takes people who want to go, signs the check and they reimburse her.

[2/317]  He was involved with Pack Place [financially]  Nancy is always sunny, was an Olympic swimmer and still swims and walks.  He knew her former husband.  The Bolands live up the street (see Boland tape) [Nancy Cory Boland, Ray Kisiah, Hal Cory, Walter Boland]

[2/343] He thinks down town is dead and there is no hope for its revival.  He gave money because of Nancy.  He knew all 3 of her husbands [first two before Boland died].  Cory worked in Beacon's head office. [Hal Cory]

[2/376]  He lived on Annandale by the Baptist Church and then on Kimberly.  York persuaded him to buy.  [Arthur York]

[2/ 430]  Weir wanted to see the other side of the river develop and gave Coggins a break on wooded land which became Westgate (see Coggins tape).  [George Coggins, Weldon Weir]

[2/435]  There is no way to expand the center of town.  Pack Place won't pull anybody in.

[2/467]  Bele Chere, which starts tomorrow, will not use tokens for purchases as has been done in the past.  It was successful in the beginning and will continue to be if they close early so there won't be drunks.  Janet said that each one is improving.  Shuttle busses leave from Westgate and Innsbrook Mall which make it convenient.

[2/537]  He gave money to UNCA and as a sports player traveled with Smith and McGuire.  [Dean Smith, Frank McGuire]

Thanks

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