Starting in May, a quiet transition began taking shape at Ponderosa in Greensburg.

For many, whispers made way for rumors that the long-standing business would be closing its doors. However, this was never the case, Ponderosa’s Scott Wildey explained.

Wildey has been working at the restaurant for 17 years. From his start in 1991 as a server, he climbed the ladder to become general manager five or six years ago, he noted. Sunday night, his career took a new turn when he signed the paperwork to become the store’s owner.

Previously, Greensburg’s location was part of a nine-store franchise with a homebase in Michigan. Now, it is independent. Still, Wildey said, customers and staff should expect no immediate changes.

Although it will give him more responsibility, Wildey decided to make the investment in his community for the sake of his staff and his customers.

“I have a great crew of employees,” he said.

The other interesting thing for Wildey is the family tradition of which he has now become a part. His grandmother and his mother each owned a restaurant. Now, he is following in those footsteps.

“The restaurant blood has always been in me,” he said.

The first thing he will be undertaking is educating himself in the accounting aspects of his new title. Once he has created a routine within his new job, he is excited about the decision making freedom he will have as an owner.

Regardless the challenges, Wildey looks forward to continuing to serve his customers with the help of his staff.