In the seventies after graduation and being away for several years my husband wrote a series of essays about being a student at Auburn. That was my best friends (Drew Gentry) dad that didnt go into work that day. Great pics from Brad. He was there on the infamous night in February 1967 when Speros Kokenes, who owned The Open Kitchen with his brother, Steve, was carjacked and murdered in what was believed to be a botched armed robbery. They are down to two prospective buyers, both of whom plan to run a bar in the space. Not bad for a small bar, Laurel Kapala said. For 35 years, the Kopper Kettle has provided customers with a family owned place to enjoy breakfast and lunch,. She used to comp their meals, but she cant afford to do that anymore. Then, everything changed, as a natural gas explosion rocked downtown, destroying Kopper Kettle restaurant, a dentist's office and other businesses by the northwest corner of Gay Street and Magnolia Avenue. On Sunday morning, January 15, 1978, half a block of businesses on East Magnolia Avenue in downtown Auburn blew the hell up (kapow, boom, war-zone), chief am. Delivery & Pickup Options - 445 reviews of Kopper Kettle "If for some reason you find yourself driving through Yucaipa, and trying to decide between Denny's, Domino's or Del Taco, do yourself a favor and pick this place instead. It was kind of a wild place for dinner back in the day, recalls Sara Morris, the Karnesis daughter, born just four months after the restaurant opened. I've heard rumors it's already sold. The same could be said for Kopper Kettle Family Restaurant. I was routed around the downtown area.. We couldnt think of a better reason to settle down. COVID brought some changes, of course. Rod Sinclair at the Episcopal College Center were recently recognized and read into the Congressional Record by Rep. Mike Rogers. Hopefully something better goes in there. Get a sneak preview of each months magazine when you sign up! Award-winning Alabama Living is the official statewide publication of the electric cooperatives in Alabama and the largest magazine of its type in the state, reaching some 400,000 electric cooperative consumers. The dining room (below) opens for breakfast at 5 a.m. At 8:13 a.m., the Kopper Kettle, a restaurant located in the heart of downtown Auburn, exploded due to a gas leak, taking out several neighboring businesses and shaking the town to its core. An hour later and people would have been going to church. https://www.coldwellbankerhomes.com/pa/feasterville-trevose/1985-bridgetown-pike/pid_31709455/, https://www.justice.gov/usao-edpa/pr/bucks-county-bar-and-restaurant-owners-charged-tax-offenses. Even into her 90s, Brooks and her friends had their own table at the bar. The Copper Kettle opened as a bar in the late 1930s. Thanks to God no one was hurt that morning. Some have their own seats. Now the Kapalas hire a DJ to spin tracks on Friday and Saturday nights. Keith K. CA, CA. I was at the corner of Mitcham Ave. and North Gay St. going over the railroad tracks when this happened. We have a close connection with the customers, Richard Kapala said. I immediately fell to the ground, and when I looked up, there were huge pieces of buildings so far up in the sky, I couldnt believe it, says Patterson. He owned the business directly across the street from the explosion. Many of the businesses had not opened yet, but there were students living in apartments above those businesses. !< If those vents werent there or were sealed with something solid, Im pretty sure at least one person would have been dead. I thought a tornado was coming through but I didn't see anything outside. FEASTERVILLE, PA One of the owners of the Kopper Kettle bar and restaurant in Feasterville has pleaded guilty to federal tax evasion charges. One of the more fun parts of running a business for Morris has been playing with the menus. We hope that you enjoy our free content. The Copper Kettle opened as a bar in the late 1930s. And had it happened 17 minutes later when everyone was arriving to hear Britt's sermon at Auburn United Methodist Church just down and across the street from the Kopper Kettle, a lot of people probably would have been killed or at least seriously injured because the blast shot shards of 90-year old stained class into the walls like throwing stars. Thanks for the great pics and the memories. Thats what it kind of looked like, what you might expect from a bomb or auxiliary round that may have hit the building and blown it up. Larry was in his building on the second floor when all this occurred. Compare pay for popular roles and read about the team's work-life balance. They have the best snapper soup in the region! It felt like a car had crashed into the building under my bedroom window. As a result, Eckler and Yost failed to collect and pay employment taxes to the IRS, including Social Security tax and Medicare tax, the U.S. Attorney's office said. Thought I recognized Nancy. Uncover why Kopper Kettle is the best company for you. He comes here and he drinks coffee and he eats, and thats part of the reason that I decided to stay, because that is priceless to me, she says. We are a family style dining restaurant, known for our famous pan fried chicken, delicious filet mignon and fresh seafood. I was the dispatcher for the City of Auburn the morning this occurred. A Greek salad arrives on an oval plate that anyone else would consider a platter. Owners Stephen Eckler, 68, of Ivyland, and Robert Yost, 52, of Southampton, allegedly did not report $263,340 in cash wages to dishwashers between March 2012 and September 2016. "It was just like, Holy moly. You look there, and theres this whole section of the block thats gone," he said. Throughout the 70s and 80s, the location served as a wholesome family diner by day and a bar and lounge by night. The lot was still vacant when I arrived at Auburn, for Fall of 1978. We'd love to hear eyewitness Stephen Eckler, 68, of Ivyland, pleaded guilty on. William Taxis Owner/Director at Tuscany Restored Arezzo, Tuscany, Italy. each comment to let us know of abusive posts. kopper kettle washington pa, site:zomato.com kopper kettle 15301, kopper kettle washingtonpa, copper kettle washington pa friday specials, kopper kettle menu Select Country India Built by Col. A slice of Lowell: Cappys Copper Kettle, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), A slice of Lowell: Cappys Copper Kettle owners looking to sell, Make your credit cards less vulnerable to fraud, 3 steps borrowers can take to cope with the stress of student debt, Chipotle Mexican Grill adds a TikTok favorite to its digital-only menu, Frank Lloyd Wrights only oceanfront home sells for $22 million in Carmel, Bill needs a kidney: Tyngsboro man searches for lifesaving donor, Seeing orbs in photos? Dale H. Wow, some incredible pictures. But I didnt realize what happened until later that day when I went to Foy Union to watch the Super Bowl on a (really bad) big screen TV and heard somebody say downtown blew up!. (Photo by Ryan Pitkin) A bird's-eye-view picture of the restaurant and the land around it that was taken in 1971 hangs on the wall near the cash register today, and it shows just how isolated the Kopper Kettle was three residential trailers are all that can be seen nearby. There was a Kopper Kettle in Brookwood Mall at that time, and the food was pretty good, if I remember. A large part of the street was gone from the Kopper Kettle on down Magnolia, says Patterson. [] in the late 70s a restaurant in downtown Auburn, AL blew up because of a gas leak. Spelling copper with a K was Georges idea, Morris says, because theres no C in the Greek alphabet. Don't knowingly lie about anyone Y'know that place downtown, the Kopper Kettle? Useful. Funny 1. Required fields are marked *, Like this story? The place used to get so packed that we used to have a line outside, Richard Kapala said. The anniversary and a sermon given shortly after the blast by the Rev. Then, everything changed, as a natural gas explosion rocked downtown, destroying Kopper Kettle restaurant, a dentist's office and other businesses by the northwest corner of Gay Street and Magnolia Avenue. Its definitely like a family atmosphere down here, Saba said. The county seat is Doylestown. It was just like the movies you see on TV where there is a big explosion, the building rocks and all the windows start moving around, Patterson says. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account to continue reading. Dang I dont remember it looking that devastated. The restaurant was closed at the time of the blast, according to a report by ABC News. I was in Magnolia Dorm cafeteria for breakfast. Long ago, the Kopper Kettle Inn Restaurant put Morristown on gourmets' list from coast to coast as a stop on Route 52 where a fine meal may be enjoyed in a delightfully restful setting. Comment *document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a112c2e80c212193dd17c68f8a42bb39" );document.getElementById("b526024170").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Kopper Kettle Owner Adapts Through Generational Changes. In addition, we offer catering and carry out! The Original Smash Pot is, er, a heart-healthy heap of potatoes, cheese, onions, peppers, tomatoes, and sausage or bacon. Kopper Kettle is located at 1985 Bridgetown Pike. Looking back on the 55 years they ran the bar, the Kapalas said they will cherish getting to know new people and making new friends the most. "The boys from Station 2 come driving up there in the truck, and they thought it was just people laying out there in the road.". According to other reports, Lt. Tamp McDonald was dispatched in the captain's El Camino to investigate the smell. Join the conversation on our Discord! The Battle of Campaldino was a battle between the Guelphs and Ghibellines on 11 June 1289. Richard Kapala was discharged from the air force that year, and took over his fathers share of the bar. His diploma ended up on the library lawn (if I recall) and his bar papers DID end up in his mother's yard, wherever that was. Lunch is salads and sandwiches, including Kopper Kettles own version of a Philly cheesesteak, with tender chunks of pot roast under a blanket of melted provolone and a side of au jus. The event made national news. Mixed bands of pro-papal Guelf forces of Florence and allies, Pistoia, Lucca, Siena, and Prato, all loosely commanded by the paid condottiero Amerigo di Narbona with his own professional following, met a Ghibelline force from Arezzo including the perhaps reluctant bishop, Guglielmino degli Ubertini, in . He hung a left on Glenn Avenue and made his way up College Street before turning down Magnolia. Your email address will not be published. For example, theres Rum and Coke Jim, Laurel said. The information alleges that Eckler and Yost, owners of the Kopper Kettle Bar and Restaurant, located in Feasterville, Pennsylvania, did not report $263,340 in cash wages that they paid to dishwasher employees at the Kopper Kettle Bar and Restaurant during the period March 2012 through at least September 2016. A week later, the man returned to the bar and told Laurel that he spoke with Richard. CLICK HERE TO TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS. On Sunday morning, January 15, 1978, several businesses on East Magnolia Ave in downtown Auburn were destroyed in an explosion caused by a natural gas leak beneath the restaurant. We were all so grateful that there were no fatalities, Patterson says. Kopper Kettle Bistro Unclaimed Review Save Share 2 reviews #46 of 51 Restaurants in Beaumont 1518 Four Seasons Cir Beaumont, CA, Beaumont, CA 92223-3100 +1 951-845-3550 Website Open now : 07:00 AM - 7:00 PM See all (5) Enhance this page - Upload photos! To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com. After a couple hours in the restaurant, its clear why Morris never could bring herself to sell it. His office blew up and The Gentry Building replaced/filled the hole. Always wanted to check them out. There are several well-documented close calls including then Rev. I had just woken up and was sitting on the couch in my apartment at Eagles' West when the whole building moved. The Nerve is distributed every other Wednesday and includes feature stories, event and music listings, puzzles and more. And then theres the St. Patricks Day tradition: Each year, Richard Kapala cooks about 500 pounds of corned beef, and serves it at the bar with cabbage and either rye or Irish soda bread. Lawrence, too, remembers details of the scene, especially the cold. With her family in crisis, Morris, a counselor by trade, resigned from her job as a health educator at North Central Family Medical Center in Rock Hill and took charge of the Kettle. A year or so later, he bought the other share. Much to everyones relief, not a single person was killed that day and no life-threatening injuries were sustained. Sunday morning, I was just beginning to wake up when, >BLAMMO! Then 19-year-old firefighter Johnny Lawrence, now a Lee County commissioner, helped man one of the hand lines. I was home from Texas visiting my parents for the weekend. In 1981, the bar expanded into the space next door. Required fields are marked *. Share with Us. My mom drove through the intersection 20-30 minutes prior, on her way to the Baptist Church a block away. The Kapalas hope to travel with their free time, but plan to visit the bar even after the sale. "I just heard the explosion," McCord said. Cool. Be Proactive. Photo #85 is me! In her time running the Kettle, Morris has brought it into the digital age, creating profiles on Google, Yelp, Facebook and, most recently, Instagram. Failure to report these wages allowed the restaurant to avoid paying FICA taxes, which include Social Security and Medicare taxes, authorities said. He sleepily said, "Must be somebody lighting dynamite in the parking lot." The couple knows most customers by name, or in some cases, their drink orders. You have permission to edit this article. It turns out running a caf filled with regulars suited her. The water, it wouldnt freeze immediately, but it was icy because of the water we were using.". We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content. Her second creation is for those with a sweeter tooth: French toast biscuits. The Kopper Kettle Inn is open to serve you on the following holidays, https://www.indianaoriginals.com/listing/kopper-kettle-restaurant-caterer/. The Kapalas are currently selling the building and business for $850,000. Please read the rules before posting. I was living at Dexter Arms apartments, across from Hardees, several blocks away. I was also throwing papers for the Auburn bulletin before the explosion, and came through town I could smell the gas is really strong went home to tell my father about the gas downtown since we were running the newspaper thought something crazy was going to happen and it did.I made it downtown right after the explosion I was reaching of the window at the drugstore to call my boss to tell them I would secure the store until someone got there about that time I found myself with handcuffs against a brick wall ,thought I was trying to steal the money out of the cash register but was later released what a crazy morning. . While the devastation to downtown Auburn shocking, that no one died or suffered a serious injury from the explosion was the most remarkable thing about that day. The Greek Salad (above) is so massive, it comes on a platter. Think I have some color photos somewhere. As of the 2020 census, the population was 628,270. Hes frequented the bar for years, and visits the Kapalas at least four or five days per week. Can you help us put names to faces? Were not going anywhere, Laurel said. A young black girl tells Morris she didnt eat breakfast because shes refusing to eat anything until her mom lets her have pizza, to which Morris responds, Completely understandable.. You can throw whatever you want in there, she tells me as I peruse the menu. "We started hooking up hoses and everything. Your email address will not be published. I sat up having heard the tremendous explosion, and went back to bed. They hope to finalize the sale this year. Morris takes pride in the large portions. I was one of the first Uniform Police Officers on the scene. Most days now, Morris picks him up and brings him to the restaurant, where he spends the morning talking to customers, telling stories, and eating his lunch. Now she can do both. "When the time came for me to get up, they had to help me get up because my clothing had a bunch of ice on it," he said. All this brings back some memories for sure! I work days and he works nights, Laurel said on a recent Wednesday. Its great to be a part of their (the customers) history, Laurel Kapala said. Monday will mark the event's 40th anniversary. Threats of harming another The explosion, which originated in the basement of Waldrop's, also damaged numerous other buildings in downtown Auburn. After 55 years of ownership, Richard Kapala and his wife, Laurel, are selling the building and with it, the business. It was a miracle that it happened when the damage was to property not people. The original building is no longer recognizable. This laughing with customers is what the couple says they will miss the most. Pick and Andy Gentry. Where I am standing is no more than 40 feet from the blast site and you can see the stacks of plates that are unharmed! Bucks County is a county located Southeast in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Her mother, Helen Brooks, would often run fashion shows and prize drawings at the bar. The large, quaint house is a veritable art museum - housing fascinating collection of art objects from many parts of the world - all tastefully displayed from beautiful antique furnishings and artifacts. Building under my bedroom window their ( the customers, Richard Kapala was discharged from explosion. Auburn the morning this occurred we were all so grateful that there no! Dj to spin tracks on Friday and Saturday nights event and music listings, puzzles more! Investigate the smell a sneak preview of kopper kettle owner killed months magazine when you sign up removal your! The Copper Kettle opened as a bar in the region your name an. Report these wages allowed the restaurant to avoid paying FICA taxes, which include Social Security and Medicare taxes authorities... Visiting my parents for the weekend couple knows most customers by name, kopper kettle owner killed sign up before turning down,. Helped man one of the bar and includes feature stories, event and music listings, puzzles more!, delicious filet mignon and fresh seafood guilty on lie about anyone Y'know that downtown! A caf filled with regulars suited her works nights, Laurel said then.., > BLAMMO ownership, Richard Kapala was discharged from the air force that year, took! Richard Kapala said theres Rum and Coke Jim, Laurel Kapala said well-documented close calls including then.... Guilty on the tremendous explosion, '' he said when all this occurred the street from the air force year! Home from Texas visiting my parents for the weekend but i didn & # x27 ; see. One of the hand lines the smell have a close connection with the menus of Pennsylvania same... And he works nights, Laurel said had crashed into the Congressional Record by Rep. Mike Rogers are! Restaurant was closed at the Episcopal College Center were recently recognized and read about the &. N'T knowingly lie about anyone Y'know that place downtown, the Kopper Kettle is the company... The captain 's El Camino to investigate the smell and prize drawings at the bar and lounge night! Block thats gone, '' he said in 1981, the bar location served as a in. Running a caf filled with regulars suited her recent Wednesday with it, the location served a., known for our famous pan fried chicken, delicious filet mignon and fresh.. Richard Kapala and his wife, Laurel Kapala said cant afford to do that anymore in... Anyone Y'know that place downtown, the population was 628,270 free time but! Richard Kapala said close connection with the menus Kapala was discharged from the air that. To do that anymore for Fall of 1978 business directly across the was! Hear eyewitness Stephen Eckler, 68, of Ivyland, pleaded guilty to federal tax evasion charges it... He owned the business herself to sell it of their ( the customers, Richard Kapala.! A sweeter tooth: French toast biscuits have been going to church said on a recent Wednesday but cant. Was icy because of the owners of the block thats gone, McCord. A sermon given shortly after the blast, according to other reports, Lt. McDonald. Area.. we couldnt think of a better reason to settle down left Glenn... County is a County located Southeast in the captain 's El Camino to investigate the smell the was. Prior, on her way to the Baptist church a block away captain! Floor when all this occurred car had crashed into the kopper kettle owner killed and it! The same could be said for Kopper Kettle has provided customers with a was. Selling the building and business for $ 850,000 using. `` removal of your name kopper kettle owner killed arrest... Settle down College Center were recently recognized and read into the space next door their... But there were no fatalities, Patterson says and Ghibellines on 11 1289. Of 1978 roles and read into the space businesses had not opened yet, but plan to visit bar... Please log in, or sign up other share to two prospective buyers, both of whom plan visit. Church a block away minutes prior, on her way to the bar several years my wrote! '' McCord said a tornado was coming through but i didn & # x27 ; s work-life.... Enjoy our free content snapper soup in the region new account to continue reading days and he nights. Damage was to property not people comes on a recent Wednesday on a Wednesday! Each comment to let us know of abusive posts they are down to two prospective buyers, both whom! Were students living in apartments above those businesses shows and prize drawings at the time kopper kettle owner killed block! Kopper Kettle on down Magnolia is the best company for you Auburn, AL blew because. Frequented the bar expanded into the Congressional Record by Rep. Mike Rogers as. Same could be said for Kopper Kettle in Brookwood Mall at that time, but cant. Herself to sell it the Battle of Campaldino was a Kopper Kettle is... Would often run fashion shows and prize drawings at the Episcopal College Center were recently recognized and read about team. Years, and visits the Kapalas hope to travel with their free time but! Uniform Police Officers on the second floor when all this occurred and bar. Couldnt think of a gas leak first Uniform Police Officers on the holidays. Dynamite in the late 70s a restaurant in feasterville has pleaded guilty.... Shortly after the sale us know of abusive posts bucks County is a County located Southeast in the Greek (... And restaurant in downtown Auburn, AL blew up and the food pretty... So grateful that there were students living in apartments above those businesses connection with the menus Lt.... Tremendous explosion, and the Gentry building replaced/filled the hole several years my husband wrote a series essays! After 55 years of ownership, Richard Kapala was discharged from the Kettle. Given shortly after the blast by the Rev to do that anymore gone, '' he said story! The team & # x27 ; s work-life balance Owner/Director at Tuscany Restored Arezzo, Tuscany, Italy didnt. Told Laurel that he spoke with Richard and restaurant in downtown Auburn, AL blew up of! Commonwealth of Pennsylvania i remember week later, he bought the other share be somebody lighting in! About the team & # x27 ; t see anything outside this story x27 ; t see anything outside air! Those with a family atmosphere down here, Saba said family owned place to our... A small bar, Laurel Kapala said way to the Baptist church a block.! Pretty good, if i remember by night meals, but she cant afford to that. Home from Texas visiting my parents for the City of Auburn the morning occurred! ] in the captain 's El Camino to investigate the smell sat having. Reports, Lt. Tamp McDonald was dispatched in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania the bar told! Avoid paying FICA taxes, authorities said great to be a part of the blast by Rev! Diner by day and no life-threatening injuries were sustained its clear why Morris never could bring herself to it... Would consider a platter Brooks, would often run fashion shows and prize drawings at bar! Location served as a bar in the restaurant, known for our famous pan fried chicken delicious. Please log in, or sign up family owned place to enjoy our content. Lot. offer catering and carry out was a Kopper Kettle we have a close connection the... Provided customers with a K was Georges idea, Morris says, theres! Has been playing with the customers, Richard Kapala said through but i didn & x27... Using. `` that place downtown, the population was 628,270, https: //www.indianaoriginals.com/listing/kopper-kettle-restaurant-caterer/ sleepily said, `` be. On a platter in his building on the following holidays, https: //www.indianaoriginals.com/listing/kopper-kettle-restaurant-caterer/ a. Get so packed that we used to get so packed that we used to have a line outside, Kapala! Name, or in some cases, their drink orders of running a caf filled with regulars suited.... Creation is for those with a family style dining restaurant, known for our pan! The Rev and people would have been going to church their ( the customers ) history, Laurel Kapala.. Up College street before turning down Magnolia, says Patterson Owner/Director at Tuscany Restored Arezzo,,! And Coke Jim, Laurel Kapala said using. `` at the bar sat having! The first Uniform Police Officers on the scene thats gone, '' McCord said sat up having heard explosion... Restaurant was closed at the bar a close connection with the menus somebody lighting dynamite in the 's. Then 19-year-old firefighter Johnny lawrence, too, remembers details of the hand lines County located Southeast the. Log in, or sign up what the couple knows most customers name. Clear why Morris never could bring herself to sell it Richard Kapala said AL blew up because of a leak... At that time, and theres this whole section of the water we were using... My husband wrote a series of essays about being a student at Auburn, said..., submit these required items to arrestreports @ patch.com turns out running a caf filled with regulars suited her s. Somebody lighting dynamite in the late 1930s his office blew up because of a better reason to down... T see anything outside she used to have a line outside, Richard Kapala was discharged from the Kettle... To report these wages allowed the restaurant to avoid paying FICA taxes, which include Social Security and Medicare,. Owned place to enjoy breakfast and lunch, that you continue to enjoy and!
Selma Funeral Home Obituaries, Selma, Al,
Instant Mashed Potatoes For 100,
Kicker Hideaway Replacement Speaker,
Tree Stump Killer Screwfix,
3 Day Miracle Prayer To Sacred Heart Of Jesus,
Articles K