Mort’s owner surprises longtime manager on her 25th work anniversary with a very big gift
.jpg "Mort’s founder and owner Morrie Sheets, right, surprised his longtime manager and Mort’s co-owner Emma Russell with a trip to Hawaii in honor of her 25th work anniversary.")
Mort’s Martini Bar — an Old Town staple that has managed to remain one of Wichita’s busiest nightlife destinations for a quarter of a century — celebrated its 26th birthday on Sunday.
But that was not the occasion owner Morrie Sheets was focused on during a Hawaii-themed Sunday afternoon celebration at the bar.
Instead, Sheets surprised his employee turned business partner Emma Russell with a big thank-you gift for her 25th work anniversary: an expenses-paid trip to Hawaii.
Wichitans know Mort’s, 923 E. First St., for its covered patio, its live music, its extensive martini list and its free jalapeno-flavored popcorn. But many also know or recognize the woman who has kept the place afloat over the years.
Russell was 18 when she started at Mort’s in 1997 — a year after it opened — and quickly rose through the ranks, eventually joining Sheets, who founded the bar with his late brother, Matt, as co-owner.
She’s long managed day-to-day operations for the bar and is the point of contact for the many bands who play on the patio. She’s also been a mentor and caretaker to all the people who have worked at Mort’s over the years.
At Sunday’s party, where a steel-drum band played and attendees wore leis, Sheets took the microphone to talk about Russell, who he said “never asked me for anything.”
Russell and several other party goers teared up as Sheets revealed that Mort’s owners, including Sheets’ wife, Jana, and his sister-in-law Sharon Sedvidy-Sheets, were sending her on a trip for two to Maui, complete with first-class plane tickets and a helicopter ride.
“We take care of people at Mort’s,” Sheets said. “Take care of the people in your life, and you’ll see, this will happen for you also.”
Russell spoke after Sheets, tearfully thanking him. She said she’s loved her time at Mort’s but has especially loved working with all the employees she’s known over the years.
“I call myself a facilitator of life,” she said. “My job is to get all of my beautiful work kids to the next place they’re supposed to be... I’ve seen so many people blossom into the most amazing human beings after being here, and that is probably one of the greatest gifts I’ll ever get from Mort’s.”
This story was originally published June 13, 2022 at 10:36 AM.
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