Odometer (Legend): 558,659
Odometer (Integra): 246,106
Imagine being wealthy enough in the late 1920s to own several mansions across the United States: Chicago, Philadelphia, and other cities — the smallest of which, in Phoenix, at 16,000 square feet.
William Wrigley Jr. was an entrepreneur from a young age, starting his own business selling soap and baking powder at age 29. At that time, he would give his customers 2 packages of chewing gum as an incentive with each can of baking powder they purchased. Wrigley’s chewing gum soon became more popular than any of his other products, and the rest was history. Wrigley went on to hold a controlling interest in several other companies, own the Biltmore Hotel in Phoenix, and build 5 residences. Next time you’re chomping on a stick of Big Red, think of him.
Wrigley’s mansion in Phoenix (photo above from 1949), is set atop a 100-foot-tall knoll with views of the Biltmore and the community below. Construction was completed in 1931, only a year before Wrigley died at age 70. The mansion went on to be owned by another big wig in the food industry: Geordie Hormel, known for creating Spam (he also claimed to have invented the corn dog). Hormel bought the Wrigley mansion as a $2.6 million 50th wedding anniversary for his wife, and restored it to his former glory. He passed away in 2006 but the facility lives on as a private club for Sunday brunch, fancy weddings, and other special events.
On Sunday, January 28th, 86 years and 2 days after William Wrigley passed away, I rolled up the steep driveway from Telawa Trail Road with my dad & stepmom and valet parked my Legend sedan for a brunch reservation I’d made online about 6 weeks prior. The view of the city was spectacular and the weather couldn’t have been better.
We had about 15 minutes to wander around the facility before being seated at our table, so we went upstairs to see a few of the 24 bedrooms and 2 of the 12 bathrooms. All of the finishes, materials, and fixtures retain their original appearance but have been well preserved or restored.
Hearty buffet provisions were available in 3 separate rooms: The first, with fruits, bagels, and salad items for lighter fare. The second had the main brunch courses: beef, prime rib, shrimp, lobster, potatoes, and an omelet station. And the last was up a few stairs in what appeared to be a library, stocked with all sorts of cupcakes and other sugary goodness. Each time one of us would get up from our seat to make another pass at the buffet, the servers would come around while we were gone and roll up our napkins again. There was a lot of fine attention to detail.
For $59 a plate, the Wrigley champagne brunch is definitely not a McDonald’s McMuffin value menu, but for a rare treat with special guests, I thought it was well worth it for a way to spend a classy Sunday and get a panoramic view of the city skyline on a crystal blue January day. We returned to the valeted Legend feeling full and satisfied. “You’re going to have to roll me to the car,” Tanya said. No wonder we weren’t hungry again until much later that evening.
The revolving door at Hotel Hugie hasn’t had a break yet — the month of January I ran at nearly 100% occupancy and loved it. Last week, Dad & Tanya drove 1,421 miles in fewer than 48 hours from Seattle to Phoenix for a trade show called Oasis. Each January, it draws more than 3,000 buyers to the Phoenix convention center to see and order knick-knacks and souvenirs for their gift shops and visitor centers. Dad and Tanya hand-craft wooden items like antler-adorned walking sticks, keychains, magnets, and money clips for their company, Yellowstone River Trading.
It was an action-packed few days with the family visiting, with lots of things to do outside the 9-5 trade show grind. We dined at some new restaurants, visited an escape room, and took care of a few home improvement projects. I also spent a bit of time at the local junkyard, harvesting a piece of a quarter panel to repair some damage to the left rear corner of my Legend sedan. It was my first time using a heavy-duty angle grinder and I am pleased with the results! Thanks to my friend Mirel for the tools and the expertise.
New and old pieces of quarter panel. Updates to come!
Below are a few more photos from recent events. I received a visit from Redline Reviews’ Editor-in-Chief, Sofyan Bey.
Here’s a 5-minute video filmed just before dropping Sofyan off at the Sky Harbor airport.
Earlier in the week, I dropped off Kevin from Duluth, GA. I’ve been to the airport a lot lately!
Kevin recently sold his 1994 Legend L sedan. He had owned the car for 18 years, 11 months, and 26 days. Fortunately, he still has a 1994 LS coupe, his “Polar Bear.”
I got my front bumper plugs installed on the Vigor – paint matched & all!
Integra parked streetside just west of Chase Field, where the Arizona Diamondbacks baseball team plays.
Visiting the Oasis gift convention.
Dinner at ‘Camp Social’ restaurant on 7th Street in Phoenix – we ate in a little trailer like that!
Pretty cool old-school Ace Hardware sign.
Dinner on the patio at Hula’s Modern Tiki, with special guest Jake the poodle.
Home Depot on a Saturday in the coupe.
Junkyard find: 1989 Honda Accord LX 5-speed
It had 349,271 miles on it!
Escape room group in Tempe, Arizona
Legend sedan parked at Wrigley’s valet area
Upstairs hallway at Wrigley Mansion
View from our dining table
Buffet room #1
I spotted my car valet parked below
Tanya & dad
Headed back to real civilization after a few minutes living the high life.
Organizing my new Kobalt tool chest!
Fits right in in the garage.
Have a great week!
drivetofive 