The familiar greasy spoon that once stood on the corner of Gay Street and Magnolia Avenue did not make a return, but it will forever be remembered by Auburn students and residents. Sinclair and his wife, Louise, now live in Charlottesville, Va. By the early 1980s, the block was rebuilt and the evidence of the blast was gone. We hope that you enjoy our free content. Richard Kapala was discharged from the air force that year, and took over his fathers share of the bar. The restaurant was closed at the time of the blast, according to a report by ABC News. 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. 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. The Copper Kettle opened as a bar in the late 1930s. Find Vacation Rentals, Condos, and Resorts in Arezzo, Tuscany, Italy. Thanks to God no one was hurt that morning. Theyre heavy-handed in the kitchen, she says, and I like that.. 1978 THE KOPPER KETTLE EXPLODED. I remember the blast. The Kopper Kettle made national headlines that night as word spread about the freak accident in a small Alabama town. 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 . One of Georges early jobs was as a busser at The Open Kitchen on Morehead Street. Be Nice. The event made national news. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. In 1964, Richards father, Karol, and a co-owner bought the bar. 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. Not sorry they got caught. I was in my second story apartment at the corner of Ross and Glenn (several blocks away) when this happened. Her mother, Helen Brooks, would often run fashion shows and prize drawings at the bar. I remember associating the other one with upscale after church eating. Flights . Called off services due to potential other gas leaks. The place used to get so packed that we used to have a line outside, Richard Kapala said. 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Auburns 1908 team went undefeated despite losing to professional LSU team, Mustache Guys church pays prankish tribute to its famous youth minister during Sunday service, Well remember too, this season of great joy and hope. I just found this website. Its a memory Ill never forget, says Patterson. 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. Perhaps it suffered for our sins. 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. An AU student from the Plainsman took my photograph as I was walking through the intersection at Gay and Magnolia. You can throw whatever you want in there, she tells me as I peruse the menu. Customers range in age from 21 to 90, the Kapalas said. God Bless and War Eagle! Can you help us put names to faces? 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. "The bank thermometer there said 25 degrees. 12/30/2022. Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. The Nerve is distributed every other Wednesday and includes feature stories, event and music listings, puzzles and more. Built by Col. A year or so later, he bought the other share. Kopper Kettle is located at 1985 Bridgetown Pike. 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. Even into her 90s, Brooks and her friends had their own table at the bar. The restaurant's owners are facing federal tax charges after the allegedly failed to report employee wages. Hello, Great photos of the Toomers explosion. The original building is no longer recognizable. That place is disgusting. Soggy potato. The county seat is Doylestown. All rights reserved. Thank you for reading! Rod Sinclair was preparing for the 8:30 a.m. service when the explosion happened, knocking him to his knees. Matter of fact it was the talk of the Opelika-Auburn area for several months afterwards. About 40 frames later must be a young Andy Gentry in center w/ glasses w/ the fire Chief. Sunday morning, I was just beginning to wake up when, >BLAMMO! It was an event that I will always remember. They are down to two prospective buyers, both of whom plan to run a bar in the space. If those vents werent there or were sealed with something solid, Im pretty sure at least one person would have been dead. In 1981, the bar expanded into the space next door. We have a close connection with the customers, Richard Kapala said. The shops across the street, "War Eagle PIzza" and others had shattered glass storefronts. Some have their own seats. "There was a clothing store back there, and there were these mannequins. Click here. 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. Downtown looked like a war zone. Karol Kapala would tell Richard that he caught the large brown fish. One of which is about the Kopper Kettle. I was one of the first Uniform Police Officers on the scene. Add a photo Ratings and reviews 3.0 2 reviews #46 of 51 Restaurants in Beaumont I heard that a dentist had his office on the upper floorthat they found his diploma in his mother's yard, two miles away. The Worcester native enjoys road trips and hiking. He told me it was. You could see down into the cellar. Jan. 15, 1978 was a quiet Sunday in downtown Auburn. Y'know that place downtown, the Kopper Kettle? I was working at the old Spur station on the corner of Gay and Glenn. 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. A taxidermy fish hanging above the counter also dates back to Cappys early days. People are also reading Rock and roll bands would play on weekend nights while customers danced. 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. Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. There are niches with marble and alabaster statuary, Dresden china, and Chinese chests. 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? 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. Every day, something happens, Laurel Kapala said, recalling more silly stories. "The Kopper Kettle explosion was the big event while I was at Auburn. Find out what works well at Kopper Kettle from the people who know best. 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. Think I have some color photos somewhere. 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! To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com. We figure its time to retire and move on, Richard Kapala said. They renamed it Cappys Copper Kettle, after Karols nickname. 2023 Alabama Living Magazine All Rights Reserved | Made with by Dogwood. I had to park my Patrol Unit on West Magnolia one block away from Gay Street. He had no idea that I was married to him, she said. The original building is no longer recognizable. He sleepily said, "Must be somebody lighting dynamite in the parking lot." She used to comp their meals, but she cant afford to do that anymore. If this had happened today, it would be a much different outcome.. There comes a time in every persons life when they have to grow up and settle down a bit. On a regular work day, not Sunday when this happened, I wouldve been at work long before 8:00 AM! My pals and I spent many a wee hour sobering up in that building. A short time later, I realized how cold had gotten. 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. 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 . So I did it. For Morris, its a precious chance to savor her dads company. At breakfast, I remember my mother saying there was a really big Boom ! Thank you for signing in! 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. At least nine copper kettles are tucked throughout the restaurant, as well as copper art, including a hammered version of The Last Supper.. 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. An aviation management student got up in the air and relayed to several of his ROTC friends that it looked like bomb had hit. Low 66F. On Halloween, they would arrive dressed in costume. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Dang I dont remember it looking that devastated. I wouldve been at work long before 8:00 AM into the space next door settle down bit. 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