Who'd Buy a Town?	< 1974-1980 . 1980-1987 . 1987-1998 >
1980 to 1987 - Bob Brock & Jim Fassett

Bob Brock was an aircraft salesman at Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix. He happened to hear about a quaint Western town, not too far from city life, being up for sale. The notion of owning a town appealed to Bob and within days, he had his friend, a fellow salesman, Jim Fassett, sitting in the restaurant of Tortilla Flat enjoying a juicy hamburger, contemplating partnership.

Bob and Jim became the new owners of Tortilla Flat in March of 1980. Each kept their residences in Fountain Hills and Phoenix. The two men took turns running the town since they were involved in other obligations. Realizing they could use some help in their venture, both Bob and Jim were able to coax their parents into coming to help.

Dan and Jenny Brock moved to Tortilla Flat from Indiana, where they had retired. They enjoyed the town, scenery, and life­style afforded by the desert and surrounding mountains, and helped with the store and restaurant until they both passed away.

Meanwhile, Charlie and Ethel Fassett had also relocated to Tortilla Flat. Ethel was teaching music and Charlie was a college­level reading instructor and high school counselor. Charlie and Ethel have remained at Tortilla Flat.

In 1984 Bob sold his share of the business to his partner Jim. Dan Brock had subsequently passed away and his wife Jenny stayed at Tortilla Flat to help out. Eventually, Bob started a small publishing company that printed postcards, brochures and pamphlets.

Tuesday April 21,1987 a gas leak in the steam table exploded when relit, causing a small fire as the restaurant was being prepared for the day's business. Their head cook Max Lopez was hospitalized for about a week with burns on hands and arms. The fire in the kitchen was easily extinguished, or so it seemed. Unknown to anyone, the fire smoldered in the wooden walls and traveled into the ceiling and attic area. The Forest Service compound nearby responded, arriving with a water trailer and staunchly fought the fire encroaching along the wooden fence toward the buildings to the east of the restaurant, saving those structures. The Apache Junction Fire Department arrived in time to save part of the motel. However, the restaurant, artifacts, antiques and several thousands of dollar bills went up in smoke.

The fire totally destroyed the restaurant, gift shop, equipment and all inventory, thereby eliminating the major source of income. Over $200,000 worth of damage was done. Jim's loss was not covered by insurance and, subsequently, the business reverted back to Bob.

Investing friendship brings a return of friendship. When loyal patrons, both local and international, heard about the demise of their restaurant in the heart of the Superstitions, they pitched in to help. Hundreds of dollars were donated to rebuild the damaged structures. People also donated materials and supplies needed for

repairs. Many volunteered their time and labor. Local business­men, Roger Grimh and Bob Schoose donated heavy equipment for cleanup, and old barn wood needed for rebuilding. On the south wall of the restaurant is an engraved mirrored plaque thanking the people who made rebuilding possible.

The new restaurant is solidly built to today's standards with cinder block, using current fire and electrical codes. Outside, the Old West facade has been faithfully reproduced. Inside, a Southwestern decor, complete with saddles at the bar. Artifacts, antiques and, yes, the signed dollar bills and business cards on the walls have returned, continuing the long tradition. One would never guess today that the friendly town of Tortilla Flat was nearly consumed by fire just a few short years ago.

This brings us full circle, for Bob's next partners were Jerry and Mary Jo Bryant who joined him in the winter of 1987 to begin the visionary process of rebuilding a town and business literally from the ashes.

Tortilla Flat was reborn on dedication day July 1, 1988.

Bob passed away in 1992. He lived to see his dream come true ­but never got to live his dream.