Grounds Zero: Beloved breakfast spot up for sale

PHOTO BY JOE ALBERT PROVIDED BY DEBBIE SHREINER

Menda and Ken Ramsey are bidding the beloved Coffee Pot, 205 2nd St NW, goodbye after nearly a quarter century.

By BOB MOREHEAD

BGNN senior staff writer

BARBERTON  Lots of people own a diner. Some are pretty good. Not many people own a century-old institution.

Menda and Ken Ramsey have owned the beloved Coffee Pot in Barberton for 23 years. Menda had been on staff for 16 years before that. They have finally decided to call it quits and retire, putting the iconic breakfast spot at 205 2nd St NW up for sale.

“We’re getting to be that age,” Ken told BGNN. “My wife has been here since 1985.”

“We haven’t had a vacation in about 25 years,” Menda said.

The restaurant was founded in 1923 and mayor William Judge presented the Ramseys with a

proclamation last year as the institution’s stewards during its centennial. For most of that time, it has literally been a “mom and pop” operation. Harry and Icea Boylen took over in 1946. They sold it to Norm and Sally Younes in 1977; Norm in his tall, white chef’s hat at the flat-top became as iconic as the diner itself. The Youneses built an addition in 1985, doubling the diner’s dimensions. They sold to the Ramseys in 2001.

What are some favorite memories after nearly a quarter century?

“Well, when we paid off the restaurant is a good memory,” Ken said with a wry smile.

More seriously, both he and Menda said it was the customers, many of them regulars.

“Years and years, you see the same people over and over,” Menda said. “In a way, I feel like I’m letting them down.”

The public does not want to see this morning icon vanish. The Ramseys and their realtor have said there has been intense interest from prospective buyers.

“I would like to see someone come in and carry on with breakfast like it’s always been,” Ken said. “Everyone in Barberton loves it.”

Advice they leave their successors is simple: Don’t change anything.

“When we took over, that’s what the business banker told me,” Ken said. “It ain’t broke. There’s a reason it’s been here 100 years. They can open up the day they get the keys and the customers are already here.”

To ease that transition, the Ramseys promised to shadow the new owners, sharing recipe secrets and trusted suppliers as long as they’re needed.

After that, they’ll take that long deferred vacation, maybe to Alaska. They haven’t decided yet.

What do you think?

We shared news that the Coffee Pot Restaurant was for sale and invited Facebook followers to share their Coffee Pot memories:

Pamela Buchtel: “We love the girls (and Ken) at the Coffee Pot not to mention the delish breakfasts. If only one of the girls would buy it …”

Steve Despot: “Well, “for sale” is a good thing as it doesn’t state “closing.” Maybe new owners will continue it?”

Bridgette Gorham: “Eating at the Coffee Pot before the Parade, then sitting out front was a must when we were kids!! I am hoping someone purchases this so we can continue traditions in Barberton!!”

Aimee Schake Williams: “My dad went to Barberton in the early ’50s and he told me he would go to the Coffee Pot every day at lunch for a hot roast beef sandwich! Our family has enjoyed it for many years. Hopefully someone buys it and keeps it going.”