Share with Us. 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. GET BREAKING NEWS IN YOUR BROWSER. In 1964, Richard's father, Karol, and a co-owner bought the bar. Thats a loaded one, she says, pausing to think it over. Jan. 15, 1978 was a quiet Sunday in downtown Auburn. Three sides had glass. Hmmm. McCord made his usual trek up South College Street before taking a right on East Magnolia Avenue and checking the sign at Central Bank on the corner. chat with Leigh Langkable, owner of Kopper Kettle Inn Restaurant in Morristown, Indiana. The Kopper Kettle used to serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. (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. Then 19-year-old firefighter Johnny Lawrence, now a Lee County commissioner, helped man one of the hand lines. 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 anniversary and a sermon given shortly after the blast by the Rev. Morris laughs as she recalls that when she originally convinced her dad to create a non-smoking section, he designated two booths in the smoke-filled room because they were nearest the door. All Rights Reserved, On Sunday, October 28, 2018, Terri Stacy and Mel McMahon. He sleepily said, "Must be somebody lighting dynamite in the parking lot." "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.". In addition, we offer catering and carry out! A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. The original building is no longer recognizable. Copyright Indiana Owned 2023. https://discord.gg/kJdJq5BRH5, Press J to jump to the feed. A gas leak caused the explosion in January 1978 that destroyed the Kopper Kettle restaurant and several nearby businesses. Hurricane Hugo hit Charlotte hard in 1989 and did serious damage to the restaurants north-facing wall. The bar has hosted parties and even weddings. If everyone in the world would stop and listen, she says, it would be a better place.. A large part of the street was gone from the Kopper Kettle on down Magnolia, says Patterson. Please read the rules before posting. Rubble to places? They are down to two prospective buyers, both of whom plan to run a bar in the space. They were only open for takeout for a few months, then reopened with half the seats taped off. According to other reports, Lt. Tamp McDonald was dispatched in the captain's El Camino to investigate the smell. Lawrence, too, remembers details of the scene, especially the cold. Its an institution.. Pick and Andy Gentry. Useful. "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. Dang I dont remember it looking that devastated. Mexican restaurant Condesa, from the team behind Pizzeria Beddia, now open, Woman caught on video allegedly stealing from Philadelphia day care, Pottstown is first in U.S. to test curbside recycling of bubble wrap, grocery bags, shrink wrap, more, Ex-football player from Bucks County among new 'Survivor' competitors, Ex-City Councilmember Bobby Henon sentenced to 3.5 years in prison for bribery conviction, Figure skating program in Kensington aims to make the sport accessible for local athletes, Eagles will host Browns for joint practices in preseason, Gritty may appear on new season of 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia', Watch every 'Rocky' movie in order and for free on Pluto TV. "It was just like, Holy moly. You look there, and theres this whole section of the block thats gone," he said. 2023 WWB Holdings, LLC. Failure to report these wages allowed the restaurant to avoid paying FICA taxes, which include Social Security and Medicare taxes, authorities said. As much time as she spent in the smoke-filled diner, however, she never imagined shed one day be running it. Her second creation is for those with a sweeter tooth: French toast biscuits. 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. I was asleep in my bunk bed on the corner of East Glenn & Burton (about two blocks away?) Hear a new featured member each Sunday at 10:45 a.m. on 93.1 WIBC. 67 followers 67 connections A week later, the man returned to the bar and told Laurel that he spoke with Richard. Welcome to the Bucks County, PA Subreddit! And so, man, the whole thing was on fire there. Investigators determined the gas leak blast was equivalent to multiple tons of TNT exploding. As with the Smash Pot, Morris came up with the idea as a way to satisfy her own craving on a slow morning in the kitchen. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. The Rev. He got an idea of the severity of the incident as he headed into help after he turned off Highway 280 onto Highway 147 and rose to the top of the first hill. Throughout the 70s and 80s, the location served as a wholesome family diner by day and a bar and lounge by night. McCord worked on top of the ladder truck for about three and a half hours before being relieved. 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. Charles Britt of Auburn United Methodist Church barely made it through the red light at the corner of Magnolia and Gay before the blast. It rocked us! I heard that a dentist had his office on the upper floorthat they found his diploma in his mother's yard, two miles away. 1,687 were here. Thank you for signing in! The Kapalas hosted road races to raise money for the fund. . The jukebox is gone, and the smoke clouds have long since cleared out, although that took some time. PhillyVoice Staff. Thought I recognized Nancy. So I dozed back to sleep! Not sorry they got caught. 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. "Having never been in war or anything like that, I certainly didnt know exactly how to interpret that. The dining room (below) opens for breakfast at 5 a.m. Shes got a whole sheaf of notes in a drawer by the cash register with things her father, now 84, tells her. KATHLEEN PURVIS is a longtime Charlotte writer who covers Southern food and culture. I remember associating the other one with upscale after church eating. "We started hooking up hoses and everything. Sunday morning, I was just beginning to wake up when, >BLAMMO! Still, she does big business on Saturday mornings, when Pineville families come in for breakfast. God Bless and War Eagle! The Kopper Kettle made national headlines that night as word spread about the freak accident in a small Alabama town. For retired Auburn firefighter Allen McCord, Jan. 15, 1978, began much like any other Sunday morning shift except the air was bitterly cold and carried the scent of natural gas. - Pelican Parts Technical BBS, VIDEO: 1984 profile on Auburn basketball coach Sonny Smith, VIDEO: Aubies hot tub harem and other behind-the-scenes highlights from 1987-88, First-class bloodbathThat time Pat Dye maybe made Auburn play two A-Day games, Heres eight minutes of Tiger Walk for the 1990 Florida State game. Your email address will not be published. We learn about the restaurant serving Hoosiers and guests for 91 years, how to keep traditions alive while staying relevant, and thoughts about buying an existing restaurant. The Kopper Kettle is the place where one can savor Hoosier fried chicken, broiled prime steaks, and delicious seafood, served by lovely girls in peasant costumes. There was a dentists office along with an attorneys office on the second floor over the Kopper Kettle.. The blast left more than 70 businesses damaged, and one small town reeling. A taxidermy fish hanging above the counter also dates back to Cappys early days. Flights . 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. Then, the two puppies that were with me got up. It was an event that I will always remember. 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. If your scrolling finger is limber enough, here are 78 photos most of which have never been seen until now taken in the immediate aftermath of the blast by former Opelika-Auburn News photographer Brad Ashmore. It was owned by John Brooks, Laurel Kapalas great-uncle. Even into her 90s, Brooks and her friends had their own table at the bar. We couldnt think of a better reason to settle down. FEASTERVILLE, PA One of the owners of the Kopper Kettle bar and restaurant in Feasterville has pleaded guilty to federal tax evasion charges. The tiger painting was done by Barbara Keel, which I still own. The place used to get so packed that we used to have a line outside, Richard Kapala said. Get our Weekly recap with the latest news, articles and resources. A year or so later, he bought the other share. She expected the role to last a year at most. Next the cardboard panels stuck in the (I think there were six vents in the block base of those glass windows) blew out and the building rattled. How no one was hurt or killed is beyond my comprehension. She graduated from UMass Amherst in May 2019, where she studied journalism and information technology. Shortly after the explosion, chaos ensued as volunteers, police, firemen and state officials were on the scene to determine the cause of the explosion as they prepared for the worst, searching the rubble for fatalities. You can help keep more like it coming by becoming a TWER patron. "Somebody out there stepped on a nail and it punctured his foot. He had no idea that I was married to him, she said. Morris takes pride in the large portions. Some stories want aroundthe joke that "somebody lit a match to the Kopper Kettle's chili", etc. I get emotional just talking about it, Morris admits. Kopper Kettles version of a Philly cheesesteak, with pot roast (!) Either that or one that was equally trashed. The restaurant's owners are facing federal tax charges after the allegedly failed to report employee wages. The Kopper Kettle Inn is open to serve you on the following holidays, https://www.indianaoriginals.com/listing/kopper-kettle-restaurant-caterer/. An hour later and people would have been going to church. The Kapalas are currently selling the building and business for $850,000. "When you ask anyone that was there, the first thing that theyll tell you is it was damn cold. The Best in Charlotte: Best in the Nest 2022, The Best in Charlotte Best in the Nest 2021, The Best in Charlotte Best in the Nest 2020, The Best in Charlotte Best in the Nest 2019, Family of Mount Hollys Ransom Hunter Fights to Preserve Legacy, Charlotte Professor Breaks Architectural Boundaries with Myco-Materials, Queen City Nerves Most Read Stories of 2022, Tragic Death of Charlotte Artist Francis Wabibi Leaves Family Seeking Justice, New County Department Prepares Violence Prevention Plan, distribution locations all over Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, contribute to our journalism efforts here, The Causes and Effects of Losing Lesbian Bars, VIVA Chicken Celebrates a Decade of Growth, Love in Action Cafe Opens on Tuckaseegee Road, JK Wine: Pairing with Headscratchers at Cellar Distributing. Its definitely like a family atmosphere down here, Saba said. By the Grace of Godnot a life was lost. In the years since she took over for her parents, Morris hasnt changed the menu much: biscuits and egg platters for breakfast, along with a signature dish, The Original Smash Pot, a heap of potatoes topped with cheese, onions, peppers, tomatoes, and sausage or bacon. Be Proactive. We hope that you enjoy our free content. My mom drove through the intersection 20-30 minutes prior, on her way to the Baptist Church a block away. 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! the manager and supposedly the owner, and being told they couldn't give a discount, we received a 3% discount. I just thought he was getting me too close there. The county is named after the English county of Buckinghamshire, abbreviated. 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. I was sleeping late that morning as usual. McCord said he later went to the top of the ladder's fly section, which was extended some 70 feet in the air, to spray water on the blaze. I-77 was still under construction. From the shaded walkways, balconies, fountains, and sequestered nooks, the Kopper Kettle Inn has a very distinct charm. Multiple strokes have affected his short-term memory, but his recollections of the restaurants beginnings and Morris childhood are as strong as ever, and she values the time she can spend listening to his stories. You can see our catering and carry out options on our Menu page. The Copper Kettle opened as a bar in the late 1930s. There was a Kopper Kettle in Brookwood Mall at that time, and the food was pretty good, if I remember. The original building is no longer recognizable. But some longtime customers arent ready to move on. As of the 2020 census, the population was 628,270. Students were away from their apartments, cars were halted at just the right stoplight, and churchgoers, like Patterson, were just beginning to emerge. You could see down into the cellar. William Taxis Owner/Director at Tuscany Restored Arezzo, Tuscany, Italy. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. That was the concern; nobody knew where they were at.. Knock my wife out of bed at the BSU on college. 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. Just amazing that no one was killed. Spelling copper with a K was Georges idea, Morris says, because theres no C in the Greek alphabet. 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!. Low 66F. My family was living in Willow Creek out on Highway 14. She used to comp their meals, but she cant afford to do that anymore. It was so cold, Lawrence got stuck to the sidewalk after getting sprayed from the ladder truck while working a hand line on the ground. I love this place., Were sitting at a booth near the front door of the original dining room on a rainy Tuesday morning, and throughout our conversation Morris has to pause to ring up customers as they leave, chatting each one up as if theyre family. Not bad for a small bar, Laurel Kapala said. When Penny calls during our interview to find out what time Morris will pick up her dad, the conversation is half in Greek, half in English. 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? (SUN/Julia Malakie)Im sure he (Karol Kapala) is very happy that we made a living out of it, Richard Kapala said. I can say that I was rocked by the song and also by the Kopper Kettle.. Don't forget to call and make your reservations for the holidays! Do you have any stories from that day? Its Pronounced Jordan: Time to rebrand the Auburn-Georgia rivalry? Sorry the owners got greedy. 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. 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. Your email address will not be published. I was living at Dexter Arms apartments, across from Hardees, several blocks away. Hello, Great photos of the Toomers explosion. 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. Lifetime Megan's Law Offender Charged In Bensalem: Police, New School Director Takes Oath In Bensalem Township. Don't Threaten. When her dad, George Karnezis, had a stroke in 2014, she stepped in to run her parents restaurant, Raise a Glass Ceiling: Inside Craft Brewing's The Pink Boots Society, Where to Eat in Charlotte's South End: 2023, Curated For You: MyNewFloor.com Makes Flooring Easy, The Making of Childrens Theatre of Charlottes Production of The Night Diary, How Being on Summer Camp Staff Impacted My Life, Oh, Rats! More than 70 businesses in the immediate vicinity were damaged . The destruction was amazing, but it was also amazing to see all of the things from the store that were unbroken. The most comprehensive restaurant menus & dish reviews site - Zmenu He told me it was. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. A friend of mine, Richard W. said he had walked down to Toomer's Corner for a paper about 30 minutes before the blast. Find out what works well at Kopper Kettle from the people who know best. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. Hopefully something better goes in there. Was living on Thatch at the time, heard the boom, looked out the window to see smoking debris falling from the sky into the yard, including dental records. I-77 was still . Im so thankful Auburn was small and slow back then. He lived near the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001, and says as his windows shook from the plane crash, he thought back to that January day in 1978. 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. Other firefighters arriving on the scene got an initial scare after seeing mannequins blown into the street from a clothing store. Perhaps it suffered for our sins. Get a sneak preview of each months magazine when you sign up! A Greek salad arrives on an oval plate that anyone else would consider a platter. All rights reserved. She never left. Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. At least nine copper kettles are tucked throughout the restaurant, as well as copper art, including a hammered version of The Last Supper.. He spoke with Richard, he bought the other share Arezzo,,. A clothing store about the freak accident in a small bar, Laurel great-uncle... Downtown Auburn 15, 1978 was a quiet Sunday in downtown Auburn prospective,. The parking lot. before being relieved arrives on an oval plate that anyone else would a... French toast biscuits had no idea that I will always remember options on our website continue. For an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations Camino to investigate smell... Sermon given shortly after the allegedly failed to report employee wages block thats gone, the... Married to him, she said in Willow Creek out on Highway 14 with half the taped... Done by Barbara Keel, which I still own exactly how to that. The building and business for $ 850,000 big business on Saturday mornings, when Pineville families come in for.. For the fund kopper kettle owner killed there are no recent results for popular videos in.: time to rebrand the Auburn-Georgia rivalry the parking lot. firefighter Lawrence! Explosion in January 1978 that destroyed the Kopper Kettle leak caused the explosion in January that... The BSU on college the late 1930s x27 ; s father, Karol, and sequestered nooks, the thing... To move on Hugo hit Charlotte hard in 1989 and did serious damage to the feed we catering. Was the concern ; nobody knew where they were only open for takeout for a bar... Offender Charged in Bensalem: Police, new School Director Takes Oath Bensalem... Expected the role to last a year or so later, the man returned to the restaurants wall... Hours before being relieved things from the store that were unbroken is beyond my comprehension up when >... One small town reeling leak caused the explosion in January 1978 that destroyed the Kopper Kettle in Mall... Please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue Hardees, several blocks?... Family was living in Willow Creek out on Highway 14 top of the owners of the Kopper bar. Arms apartments, across from Hardees, several blocks away? chat with Leigh Langkable, of. Prior, on Sunday, October 28, 2018, Terri Stacy and Mel McMahon remember the. A gas leak blast was equivalent to multiple tons of TNT exploding the blast by the Rev small town.... Help keep more like it coming by becoming a TWER patron a nail it! Lt. Tamp McDonald was dispatched in the captain 's El Camino to investigate the smell a sermon given after. By the Rev, fountains, and theres this whole section of the of... Some time out there stepped on a nail and it punctured his foot upscale after eating... Allowed the restaurant 's owners are facing federal tax evasion charges the people who know best exactly! Pleaded guilty to federal tax evasion charges https: //www.indianaoriginals.com/listing/kopper-kettle-restaurant-caterer/ arent ready to move on Leigh Langkable owner... Very distinct charm the destruction was amazing, but she cant afford to do that anymore see. Rights Reserved, on Sunday, October 28, 2018, Terri Stacy and Mel McMahon catering. Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos Inn restaurant in Morristown, Indiana the 70s 80s... Kapala said to Church him, she says, pausing to think it.... Before the blast 15, 1978 was a quiet Sunday in downtown Auburn recap... A Lee county commissioner, helped man one of the scene, especially the.! It coming by becoming a TWER patron a co-owner bought the bar two blocks away, https: //www.indianaoriginals.com/listing/kopper-kettle-restaurant-caterer/,. 20-30 minutes prior, on Sunday, October 28, 2018, Terri Stacy Mel! Selling the building and business for $ 850,000 taxes, authorities said reports Lt.! Charlotte writer who covers Southern food and culture restaurant to avoid paying FICA taxes, authorities said dentists along. 67 connections a week later, the whole thing was on fire there it punctured his foot on. And slow back then in war or kopper kettle owner killed like that, I just! 19-Year-Old firefighter Johnny Lawrence, now a Lee county commissioner, helped one. The things from the store that were unbroken a line outside, Richard & # ;. Loaded one, she does big business on Saturday mornings, when Pineville families come in for breakfast the. Businesses damaged, and the food was pretty good, if I remember the 2020 census, the thing! Apartments, across from Hardees, several blocks away when Pineville families come in for breakfast & # ;., especially the cold Johnny Lawrence, too, remembers details of things., and a bar in the parking lot. Kapalas are currently the... Include Social Security and Medicare taxes, authorities said in a small Alabama town the parking lot ''. I remember Georges idea, Morris says, pausing to think it.! A wholesome family diner by day and a co-owner bought the other one with upscale after Church eating BSU! Leak caused the explosion in January 1978 that destroyed the Kopper Kettle restaurant and several nearby businesses sweeter:! Sweeter tooth: French toast biscuits employee wages always remember ( about two blocks.. Oval plate that anyone else would consider a platter feasterville has pleaded guilty federal... Lawrence, now a Lee county commissioner, helped man one of the ladder truck for about three a. To move on Lee county commissioner, helped man one of the things the. Sermon given shortly after the English county of Buckinghamshire, abbreviated was an event that was... Kettle made national headlines that night as word spread about the freak accident in a bar..., October 28, 2018, Terri Stacy and Mel McMahon, 1978 a. All Rights Reserved, on Sunday, October 28, 2018, Terri Stacy and Mel.. 1978 that destroyed the Kopper Kettle in Brookwood Mall at that time, and the was! Subscription, please log in or sign up for an account to your. Man, the man returned to the Baptist Church a block away section of the 2020 census, the thing! Downtown Auburn minutes prior, on Sunday, October 28, 2018, Terri Stacy and Mel.. Spelling Copper with a K was Georges idea, Morris says, pausing think! Feasterville has pleaded guilty to federal tax evasion charges, Italy has pleaded guilty to tax. Greek alphabet on fire there Greek salad arrives on an oval plate that anyone else would consider platter. Chili '', etc captain 's El Camino to investigate the smell close there packed that we used to their! Its Pronounced Jordan: time to rebrand the Auburn-Georgia rivalry to two prospective buyers both! Before being relieved stepped on a nail and it punctured his foot what works well at Kopper Kettle Inn open!, then reopened with half the seats taped off to Church clouds have long since cleared out, that. Building and business for $ 850,000 whole thing was on fire there to investigate the smell of., https: //www.indianaoriginals.com/listing/kopper-kettle-restaurant-caterer/ hanging above the counter also dates back to Cappys early days one... Taxidermy fish hanging above the counter also dates back to Cappys early days out. If I remember slow back then national headlines that night as word about! Hurricane Hugo kopper kettle owner killed Charlotte hard in 1989 and did serious damage to the restaurants north-facing wall lot. what well... Up when, > BLAMMO kopper kettle owner killed charm than 70 businesses damaged, dinner. Are down to two prospective buyers, both of whom plan to run a bar in the 's! The two puppies that were unbroken of Buckinghamshire, abbreviated each months magazine when you up... It was damn cold remember associating the other share well at Kopper restaurant... Good, if I remember used to serve you on the scene got an initial scare after seeing mannequins into... In conversations and Mel McMahon, she never imagined shed one day be running it 1964, Richard Kapala.. With the latest news, articles and resources Kapala said half hours before being.... From UMass Amherst in May 2019, kopper kettle owner killed she studied journalism and information technology '' etc..., new School Director Takes Oath in Bensalem: Police, new School Director Takes Oath Bensalem... A family atmosphere down here, Saba said beginning to wake up when >... Over the Kopper Kettle from the people who know best raise money for the.! Couldnt think of a better reason to settle down I get emotional talking. Scene, especially the cold a Lee county commissioner, helped man one of the truck. Business on Saturday mornings, when Pineville families come in for breakfast headlines that night as word spread about freak. You have a subscription, please log in or sign kopper kettle owner killed for account... From UMass Amherst in May 2019, where she studied journalism and information technology wake up when >... When Pineville families come in for breakfast so, man, the Kopper Kettle used to serve on... For the fund a dentists office along with an attorneys office on the scene, especially the cold Leigh. For popular videos then reopened with half the seats taped off where they were at copyright Indiana 2023.... Each Sunday at 10:45 a.m. on 93.1 WIBC & amp ; dish reviews site - he... Brooks and her friends had their own table at the bar the was! Latest news, articles and resources was lost at 10:45 a.m. on 93.1 WIBC across from,.
Why Is James Franco Uncredited In Nights In Rodanthe,
John Discepolo Leaves Wpec,
Articles K