Editors note: Patterson is a retired diplomat with the U.S. Department of State and resides in Washington, D.C. He sleepily said, "Must be somebody lighting dynamite in the parking lot." Your email address will not be published. It remains one of Charlotte's most famous unsolved murders. and our house shook like it had been hit by lightening. Im so thankful Auburn was small and slow back then. Oh, and now we have video.). Some have their own seats. It had a liquor license and a lively bar, but by the late 1990s, George and Penny decided to serve just breakfast and lunch. An AU student from the Plainsman took my photograph as I was walking through the intersection at Gay and Magnolia. McDonald narrowly avoided getting caught up in the blast as he was behind Auburn First National (now AuburnBank) at the time, said McCord, who sprang into action with other firefighters on duty. WOW! She never left. What about the t-shirts? But some longtime customers arent ready to move on. 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. He owned the business directly across the street from the explosion. Her first creation, the Smash Pot, features a large serving of grilled potatoes, peppers, onions, tomatoes and bacon or sausage with two over-medium eggs placed on top though it comes fully customizable. "It was just like, Holy moly. You look there, and theres this whole section of the block thats gone," he said. The restaurant pays particular attention to the choice of local products, among which we find renowned specialties such as Chianina PGI beef, Cinta Senese cold cuts and fine . Matter of fact it was the talk of the Opelika-Auburn area for several months afterwards. After breakfast, our family drove as close to downtown as possible to see the damage. You can see our catering and carry out options on our Menu page. Further investigation revealed windows 1-upstairs, the other downstairs had blown out of my apartment in Woodland Terrace, on Armstrong St. between Thach & Hare Avenues. Though generational favorites like the fried pork chops or livermush remain top sellers, Morris has introduced new adaptations that have in short time become hits among newcomers and longtime customers alike. "I went up there on the top of that on the fly section and the people had hand lines down there on the other buildings because there was about a quarter of a block that was burnt up," he said. Protect Your Home from Ticks with Yard Guard from Viking Pest, Larry P. Pelullo, Retired Carpenter with over 30 years Experience, Open Houses Planned In The Bensalem Area: Here Are The Latest 3 Listings, State Sen. Farry Launches Satellite Office Hours In Bucks. Stephen Eckler, 68, of Ivyland, pleaded guilty on Thursday to charges of willful failure to pay employment taxes, according to the office of U.S. Attorney William McSwain. 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. The county seat is Doylestown. People that we see once a year come down for that, Laurel Kapala said. I remember the one at Brookwood, too. 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. Its not just the great food or even her Kopper Kettle family that keeps her around, however; theres also her real family to think about. 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 which is about the Kopper Kettle. 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Morris remembers taking her dads car for rides through the gravel lots around the land as a young child while he was distracted with whatever was happening inside the restaurant. We hooked up a hose to the bed section of that ladder and we raised it up, spraying water on the fire scene there. "When I came through the intersection there at Gay Street and Mag, I could smell a little natural gas.". I-77 was still . Required fields are marked *. Threats of harming another There was a dentists office along with an attorneys office on the second floor over the Kopper Kettle.. Hashbrowns pitched at me by the owner. PhillyVoice Staff. I was one of the first Uniform Police Officers on the scene. Its Pronounced Jordan: Time to rebrand the Auburn-Georgia rivalry? Failure to report these wages allowed the restaurant to avoid paying FICA taxes, which include Social Security and Medicare taxes, authorities said. A family style fine dining restaurant, known for its famous pan fried chicken, delicious. "The defendants' practice of paying their employees in cash, concealing this from the IRS, and failing to collect and pay federal employment taxes, undermines the integrity of the federal income tax system and harms those who play by the rules.". Uncover why Kopper Kettle is the best company for you. On a regular work day, not Sunday when this happened, I wouldve been at work long before 8:00 AM! It was a miracle that it happened when the damage was to property not people. 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. Failure to report these wages allowed the restaurant to avoid paying FICA taxes, which include Social Security and Medicare taxes, authorities said. My dads dental office was above the Kopper Kettle (Dr. James L. Carroll)! I was just 3 years old when this happened but believe it or not ive got a good memory of it happening because i recall listening to my mom and dad have conversations with their friends about it . He hung a left on Glenn Avenue and made his way up College Street before turning down Magnolia. Our guest tell us this charm is unmatchable even by the most beautiful restaurants in all of Europe! In the 1970s and 80s, the Kapalas served roast beef and ham sandwiches to nearby workers on lunch break. This production is made possible with the help of the following: Recorded with Terri Stacy. "Somebody out there stepped on a nail and it punctured his foot. Two weeks after the explosion, at St. Dunstans Episcopal Church, Sinclair gave a sermon fittingly titled Explosions, recognizing the outpouring of camaraderie and grateful spirits exhibited in Auburn following the blast. In April of that year, her father suffered his first stroke. This was only a rumor by the time I got there (79), but I think I bought that smashed up AMC Matador. McCord worked on top of the ladder truck for about three and a half hours before being relieved. Had glass replaced, frame and hung in new office in Opelika. Bucks County is a county located Southeast in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Michael Tanenbaum Get a sneak preview of each months magazine when you sign up! The Kopper Kettle used to serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I thought a tornado was coming through but I didn't see anything outside. The Kopper Kettle Inn is open to serve you on the following holidays, https://www.indianaoriginals.com/listing/kopper-kettle-restaurant-caterer/. The lot was still vacant when I arrived at Auburn, for Fall of 1978. We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content. At least nine copper kettles are tucked throughout the restaurant, as well as copper art, including a hammered version of The Last Supper.. Did you know that Queen City Nerve is an alternative print publication with distribution locations all over Charlotte and Mecklenburg County? Ells have been added, porches attached, stairways built, and patios and gardens laid out. Its her ability to listen, she finally decides. The photo after Nancy Edwards Eldridge (#86)photo shows Det. "We started hooking up hoses and everything. (SUN/Julia Malakie)Im sure he (Karol Kapala) is very happy that we made a living out of it, Richard Kapala said. The owners of the Kopper Kettle Tavern, in Feasterville, are facing federal tax. After a couple hours in the restaurant, its clear why Morris never could bring herself to sell it. Have a blowup of that photo hanging on my wall today. Required fields are marked *, Like this story? So I did it. Her father George still spends lots of time in the restaurant, chatting with customers who have been coming to the Kettle for nearly 40 years. In the picture where the painting is on wall of the tiger, that was my dental office. Nobody was blown up and nobody was hurt on the fire scene.". Everyone in the community really came together that day. Thanks to God no one was hurt that morning. I got up to go to church and had pretty much forgotten about it. It remains one of Charlottes most famous unsolved murders. They were hooking up hand lines from other sections of the town, different fireplugs.". Add a photo Ratings and reviews 3.0 2 reviews #46 of 51 Restaurants in Beaumont 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. Mike Moore and I never heard the explosion but coming out we saw the smoke and walked down to see what had happened I remember paper everywhere things like sheets out of receipt pads. His office blew up and The Gentry Building replaced/filled the hole. Later that evening, I was amazed to see photos of our downtown Auburn on the NBC National News television broadcast. It was a big deal. 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 alarms went off in the station," McCord said. 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. "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. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. But over the years, multiple customers have claimed that they caught the fish and gave it to Cappy. Do you have any stories from that day? or anything. Other firefighters arriving on the scene got an initial scare after seeing mannequins blown into the street from a clothing store. And so, man, the whole thing was on fire there. Flights . The windowless home-turned-diner was a popular after-work destination for local farmers and factory workers who would sometimes drink and gamble into the night. The most comprehensive restaurant menus & dish reviews site - Zmenu Please read the rules before posting. 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Eckler faces a maximum possible sentence of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and paying full restitution to the IRS. 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. The jukebox is gone, and the smoke clouds have long since cleared out, although that took some time. Get our Weekly recap with the latest news, articles and resources. I was downtown that morning delivering newspapers about 30 minutes before the explosion. The high cost of ingredients has taken a toll. It was an event that I will always remember. It is the fourth-most populous county in Pennsylvania. The event made national news. I just thought about it. About 40 frames later must be a young Andy Gentry in center w/ glasses w/ the fire Chief. 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 Kapalas guess that the wall is as old as the bar, possibly dating back to the 1930s. We look forward to making your everyday meal or your special moment extraordinary! Just amazing that no one was killed. 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. I think he left me a $20 tip he felt so bad.. On Halloween, they would arrive dressed in costume. We use our own and third party cookies to allow us to understand how the site is used and to support our marketing campaigns. He threatened to tell the owner, she recalled with a chuckle. In 1965, Karol passed away from heart disease. The Worcester native enjoys road trips and hiking. If everyone in the world would stop and listen, she says, it would be a better place.. I hits close to home, huh? 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. 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. In the seventies after graduation and being away for several years my husband wrote a series of essays about being a student at Auburn. The place used to get so packed that we used to have a line outside, Richard Kapala said. Frank DeGraffenreid w/ hat. It took minutes for them to help me get up.". Not sure why you got downvoted, but despite the food being good the dining room was far from clean. Larry was in his building on the second floor when all this occurred. Still, she does big business on Saturday mornings, when Pineville families come in for breakfast. 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. The Kopper Kettle made national headlines that night as word spread about the freak accident in a small Alabama town. Not sorry they got caught. Its an institution.. "I was kind of stuck. In addition, we offer catering and carry out! If this had happened today, it would be a much different outcome.. 2023 Alabama Living Magazine All Rights Reserved | Made with by Dogwood. "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.". Much to everyones relief, not a single person was killed that day and no life-threatening injuries were sustained. The Greek Salad (above) is so massive, it comes on a platter. 40th anniversary: Kopper Kettle explosion still reverberates today, Notice of Public Hearing - 801 Ogletree Road, Auburn Roundup: Arbor Day celebration on tap for Saturday, Auburn Public Library hosting Multilingual Story Time on Saturday, Steve Foote, Auburn's planning director, passes away, Tigers, Trojans close out series with a rare tie game, ACS Board of Education approves elementary rezoning. You can throw whatever you want in there, she tells me as I peruse the menu. The original building is no longer recognizable. We have a close connection with the customers, Richard Kapala said. There are several well-documented close calls including then Rev. "Our tax system requires businesspeople to truthfully report the wages paid to their employees," U.S. Attorney William McSwain said. I was the dispatcher for the City of Auburn the morning this occurred. First the lights flickered. "I have to think it was divine intervention that nobody got hurt," said McCord. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph.. Cloudy. We hope that you enjoy our free content. 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. [] in the late 70s a restaurant in downtown Auburn, AL blew up because of a gas leak. 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. Both George and Penny came from Greece in the 1960s. Pick and Andy Gentry. Can you help us put names to faces? Saradina Morris didnt plan to spend her life running a small caf surrounded by warehouses and industrial parks outside Pineville. Get the inside scoop on jobs, salaries, top office locations, and CEO insights. We have had many discussions about that office, the explosion and the aftermath. Downtown looked like a war zone. For example, theres Rum and Coke Jim, Laurel said. Thanks for listening! The original building is no longer recognizable. Upon reconstruction, windows were added, which was the first step in changing the vibe inside. It turns out running a caf filled with regulars suited her. Many of the businesses had not opened yet, but there were students living in apartments above those businesses. 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. They lived in Cary Woods, and the blast woke me up. I was sleeping late that morning as usual. 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! He opened Kopper Kettle with his wife, Penny, in 1971, when their stretch of Nations Ford Road was miles of open fields and a few trailers. Welcome! racist or sexually-oriented language. I was asleep in my bunk bed on the corner of East Glenn & Burton (about two blocks away?) Either that or one that was equally trashed. Some stories want aroundthe joke that "somebody lit a match to the Kopper Kettle's chili", etc. We'd love to hear eyewitness 4,339 were here. An hour later and people would have been going to church. I dipped the biscuits in French toast batter and then I grilled it, and I said Holy Jesus, this is good. Now people have started making biscuit sandwiches out of the French toast biscuits.. To truthfully report the wages paid to their employees, '' U.S. Attorney william McSwain said the scene got initial. Report the wages paid to their employees, '' said McCord opened yet, but despite kopper kettle owner killed being! 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