Popular Kenosha diner destroyed in fire, crews investigating

KENOSHA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The Coffee Pot, a well-known place to grab breakfast and lunch in Kenosha, is "temporarily closed" after a fire on Saturday. 

Janis Barnhill, one of the restaurant's owners, has been behind the operation since 2004. However, the building itself has been a restaurant since the 1930s. 

"We've had such a long run," Barnhill told CBS 58 on Monday as she stopped by The Coffee Pot. "Our employees, our customers, we're a large family. There's just no words." 

Jacob Waldschmidt, with the Kenosha Fire Department, was working with crews to help figure out the cause of the fire on Monday. He said at 6 p.m. on Saturday, several agencies responded to the call. There was an initial report of a fire that crews responded to at 10 a.m. at the diner. 

“We’re trying to determine if it was an oven that produced enough heat to start the fire or if it was an electrical problem at this time," Waldschmidt said. “The middle of the building is the most damaged. From the floor up to the ceiling and the roof, it’s pretty significant."

The Coffee Pot's owners put a sign on the door and posted online that the fire temporarily closed the restaurant. Since then, dozens of posts and comments have been made online showing support for the business.

“It’s a good establishment, great food, friendly people, a great place to go for pancakes or omelettes," said Dennis Krohn, who has lived in Kenosha for 39 years. “I hope they figure it out and get it back up and running again, I can’t wait to come back.”

“Anytime a fire like this happens in a well-known establishment, lots of people are affected," said Waldschmidt. "We always take those hearts and minds into consideration when we’re doing what we’re doing.”

“I’m so thankful for each and every comment and the outpouring is so beautiful," Barnhill said, wiping away tears.

Barnhill says they are still working to figure out what's next for the beloved diner.

“We’re going to move forward, we’re hard workers, and that’s what we’re going to do," Barnhill said. “We really just have to look at the glass as half full and that there’s a greater plan for us.”