Photo by Kathie Marsh
Tina McDonald, former employee and current manager at Archibald’s Restaurant, says she can’t prove it is Archie, but she’s seen the signs of a playful ghost at the store. One night, McDonald and another employee closed up, leaving the store pitch black. Ten minutes later, she got a call from a co-worker asking if she went back to the store. “She says, ‘I just got a call from the store.’” When they went to check, the lights were on. McDonald turned off the lights, but they were on again the next morning. She says it’s also common to find the beds unmade, like someone had taken a nap, in the morning.
“Most of the activity comes whenever changes go on in the store or something’s remodeled,” McDonald says. Once, during renovations, McDonald says a customer and an employee saw garden picks float out of a glass jar, which started to spin on the dresser it was displayed on and then flew off the dresser to the floor. Another employee swears she spotted a man in overalls who disappeared at second glance.
“It actually feels pretty positive,” McDonald says. “There’s nothing intimidating or scary about it. Mainly, it seems playful.” She’s been at the shopping area for four years.
Gardner Village is located at 1100 W. 7800 South, West Jordan
Of course, Gardner Village is home to more witches than ghosts around Halloween. Here are a few of the this year’s witchy events:
So, you think you’re a witch?, Sept. 12 Gardner Village chooses a Queen Witch and her attendants at their annual contest.
Breakfast with a Witch, thru October This year’s witches mingle and sign autographs with families over breakfast.
Witches’ Night Out, Oct. 14–15 Dress like a witch and party with the whole fam at Gardner Village’s witches carnival, two nights in a row.
More info on these events and Archibald Gardner at gardnervillage.com
COMMENTS