[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.
     

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