BOISE -- She's been a Boise staple on Vista Avenue since the 1950s and this past December she went missing. But Betty the Washer is back after undergoing some repairs.
She's been known by many names over the years.
"She's been named Maad and Nancy, and Shirley," said Paul Wegner, owner of Cucina Di Paolo.
However, Wegner simply calls her Betty.
"Moved in here eight years ago that's the name that was with her, and that's the name we're going to keep while we're here," Wegner said.
Although businesses have come and gone; Betty has washed the same pair of clothes ever since the 1950s.
"We just happen to be a restaurant in Betty's, Betty's home," Wegner said.
However, this past December, Betty went on vacation.
"Oh people were worried sick," Wegner said.
Like many things, old age eventually caught up with Betty the Washer and she needed some much-needed repairs. So thanks to Bruce Whittig, Betty is now set on timbers and is completely temperature controlled.
"She shuts off at night and turns on in the morning, and we have a temperature sensor that shuts her off below 20 degrees and above a hundred degrees, and we call it union rules," Whittig said.
She's also now more durable.
"Plywood, chicken wire and her joints are space age plastic and stainless steel. So, she'll last a long time," Whittig said.
Despite what goes on in the building, Betty will always remain.
"Whoever buys the property from us, they can't take her down either, that's in the contract that we signed," Wegner said.
Wegner says the plan is to change what she's wearing every month and make a calendar. They then plan on selling that calendar with all proceeds going to the foodbank.
