[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 45 (Friday, March 10, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3772-S3773]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
THE CLOSING OF KORBET'S RESTAURANT
Mr. HEFLIN. Mr. President, a long-time fixture of the Mobile, AL,
area, Korbet's Restaurant closed in January after serving customers--
including me and some of my staff--at the same location for 45 years.
The restaurant on Airport Boulevard was a part of Mobile's Loop area
beginning in 1949, when owner Nick Catranis' mother and father-in-law--
George and Katie Kordomenos--moved there from their Victory Cafe in
downtown Mobile. The name for the restaurant came from the first three
letters of their last name combined with the first three of a partner's
name.
Nick Catranis married Ethel Kordomenos and joined her family's
business in 1963, managing Korbet's for the next 32 years.
Nick issued a letter to his loyal customers in December giving a
heartfelt description of his family's struggle against changing times
and the personal sacrifice it took to keep the operation running. I ask
unanimous consent that a copy of the letter be printed in the Record
following my remarks. It is illustrative of the kinds of difficulties
many small companies face in today's increasingly competitive business
climate.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
(See exhibit 1.)
Mr. HEFLIN. Mr. President, it was sad to see Korbet's close. It was
one of the last of a vanishing breed of mom-and-pop businesses that add
so much flavor and character to a community or neighborhood. I
congratulate Nick and Ethel Catranis for bringing so much dining
pleasure to the Mobile area for so many years, and wish them all the
best for the future. Korbet's is sorely missed.
[Exhibit 1]
Korbet's Restaurant,
Mobile, Ala., Dec. 27, 1994.
Dear Korbet's Restaurant Customer: Korbet's Restaurant has
been a part of many families in the Mobile area since 1949.
Mr. and Mrs. George Kordomenos started Korbet's in 1949
when they came to this location from the Victory Cafe in
downtown Mobile. Their devotion to their profession, to the
community and their desire to succeed
[[Page S3773]] made Korbet's Restaurant an institution in
Mobile. They created a Mobile tradition for what would be a
family gathering place for generations: a place where people
proposed marriage and returned year after year to celebrate
their anniversary; a place where people celebrated,
graduations, retirements and other occasions; a place where
families gathered for Thanksgiving and other holidays.
In return they accomplished ``the American Dream.'' They
helped their relatives back in the country that they left,
they educated their children and saw their grandchildren
become doctors, businessmen and pharmacists.
In 1963, my wife and I came into the family business and
worked together with Mom and Dad. Then, in 1968, Dad, Mr.
George Kordomenos, passed away and as you all know, Mother,
Mrs. Katie Kordomenos, passed away last year.
Managing this restaurant for 32 years has taken its toll on
me, I have become too wrapped up in my work. I have missed
many things in my life such as not seeing my children grow
up.
On January 14, 1995, Korbet's Restaurant will close its
doors and will no longer serve Mobilians.
This decision is not a sudden one; it has taken much
contemplation, has stirred many emotions, and has been of
great consideration for many months. We feel that we have
served the community as best as we personally could. As we
move out of the restaurant business and diversify, we feel
that we will be serving our community in other ways.
My belief for success has been that you have to get down in
the trenches and work with your employees. That is what I
have done and together, we have been successful.
However, in recent years the restaurant industry has made
many changes; our governing bodies have imposed many new
taxes, regulations, and restrictions and so the time has come
for us to move on.
Turning one's back on a business such as this is hard to
do. I am lucky and blessed that I'm able.
My wife Ethel, my children, and I want to thank each and
every one of you, our customers and fellow workers, for your
loyalty throughout the years. We sincerely regret this move.
We want to thank our many suppliers who have made our
survival possible by providing quality products so we may
serve our many customers throughout the years.
To all the realtors of Mobile and the many politicians who
had their business meetings here and in turn molded and
reshaped the city of Mobile--they changed the borders, the
subdivisions, the streets, the shopping centers--we thank
them and feel that we were a part of all this, too.
To the many busboys and busgirls that worked here during
their school years: this being their first job in life, and
where we tried to instill in them and try to teach them the
importance of work in life, and where they have gone and
become professionals, good citizens, and raised families. We
thank them for their contribution.
To the many waitresses, cooks, cashiers, and managers who
worked endless, long and hard hours and have raised their
families and educated their children: we thank you for your
contribution.
To our many loyal customers and the many that we have
spoiled: nothing could have been possible without your
loyalty--we will always cherish your friendship and loyal
patronage.
And finally, to my wife and children, whom I deprived many
things for 32 years by working all day and all night often
till 2:00 a.m., thank you for your support.
And now Korbet's Restaurant will go down in history as
other great family businesses have, such as Hays Davis
Packing, Constantines Restaurant, Gulas Restaurant,
Metropolitan Restaurant, Government Street Lumber, Wintzell's
Restaurant and many others.
On behalf of our management and staff, we want our
customers to know you will be missed.
And so as the world goes around, so must we.
Sincerely,
Nick and Ethel Catranis.
____________________