CORNERSBURG -- When Mary Ann Dwyer left her job as a travel agent, she swore the next time she

CORNERSBURG -- When Mary Ann Dwyer left her job as a travel agent, she swore the next time she worked that hard it would be for her own company.
Her husband, Jim, took her seriously and got the paperwork in order to open their new business. In 1988, the couple opened Tippecanoe Travel Service in the Brandywine Plaza in Cornersburg.
Mary Ann said things were more complicated in the travel agency business when she began in 1979. Computers were not widely used at the time and everything was handwritten, including airline tickets. The Internet was not available to research plane fares.
"Everything was a lot more work," said Mary Ann. "Everything is right in front of your eyes now. We used to have to call all the different airlines to get the best fares. Those were the dinosaur years."
Although computers have made the work less tedious, the Dwyers said Mary Ann still puts in long hours researching the best prices for clients. But the reward, she said, is worth the work.
'Fulfilling business'
"It's a fulfilling business," her husband said. "I know she feels good when people get back from their trips and call her up and tell her what a wonderful time they had."
Jim, who retired after serving as a court administrator in the local courts for many years, handles much of the administrative work at the agency but Mary Ann is the "backbone" of the business, handling all the sales.
The Dwyers say their agency is primarily a leisure agency, specializing in vacation packages, tours and cruises.
"There's a lot more to it than just booking airline tickets. People need rental cars, hotels, tickets to events or attractions, like Broadway plays or passes to Disney," Mary Ann said. "There's a lot of detail work involved."
The Dwyers said although the Internet has made it easier for clients to book fares themselves, many people still prefer the convenience and security of using a travel agent.
Mary Ann said she makes a point of treating her clients the way she would want to be treated.
"I just treat every reservation as if I was going and usually people are happy. We try to go that extra step to find the best deal. That's why a lot of people come back to us."
The Dwyers say they have no plans to expand the agency, preferring a small, intimate agency where they can continue to provide personal service.