Owner demos Koffee Korner, plans new, larger restaurant

HALF A CUP:
Koffee Korner owner Joe Martinez surveys what is left of his half-demolished restaurant.

An Anderson family icon has been demolished and a new an improved establishment is planned in its place.

Joe Martinez has owned the Koffee Korner restaurant on the corner of Ventura and North Street in Anderson since 1982.

“We’ve made a lot of good friends throughout the years,” Martinez said. “The town and Koffee Korner have been just fabulous to me.”

Martinez said he’s been waiting for the Koffee Korner revamp for about five years. Last June, after finishing several other projects and securing the adjacent lot needed for extra parking, Martinez said he and his partner, Ardith Taylor decided to move forward.

“Finally we got everything squared away, and we said, OK, lets focus on Koffee Korner,” Martinez said.

The building was demolished on June 25, and the opening of the new restaurant is planned in about four to six months.

“It’s going to be twice as big,” Martinez said.

The new restaurant will have more than 3600 square feet and will seat 127 customers. The Koffee Korner sat 82.

The last detail Martinez said he has to figure out is the name of the new restaurant.

“We haven’t picked a name yet, but it will not be Koffee Korner,” he said. “Customers had put in a lot of name suggestions, and we are going to go through all the names and see which one fits the image concept.”

The owner reported that the new restaurant’s menu will be similar to the Koffee Korner, but won’t be exactly the same.

“We’ve had a good breakfast and a good lunch, we are going to try to work to better our dinner. So hopefully the concept goes well and people will like what we have chosen,” he said.

Anderson resident Nola Taylor-Lee said she has many memories at the Koffee Korner, and has taken all ten of her grandchildren to eat there.

“It’s been an icon in this area for many local people.” Taylor-Lee said. “Many great friendships have been formed there, and it’s been a great local gathering spot.” Taylor-Lee said she hopes the best for Koffee Korner owners in their quest to build a new restaurant, she just hope it retains the qualities that have attracted its loyal customers.“I’m eager for them to have a new building and new equipment. It’s time for that,” she said. “I just don’ want it to lose its friendly hometown atmosphere.”

Martinez has made his restaurant into a familiar affair.

“All my kids grew up working here,” he said. Martinez said his son Adam put himself through college waiting tables and managing the Koffee Korner for the past four years.

Adam seriously injured his hand and arm during the demolition of the Koffee Korner, but has been released from the hospital.

“He is doing good,” said Martinez, “But he is going to have to go through some physical therapy.”

Nola Taylor-Lee said she hopes Adam Martinez gets well soon.

“I know everybody there that knows and loves him wants him to have a speedy recovery.”