(KINGMAN, Kan.) — An early-morning fire destroys a Main Street restaurant in downtown Kingman.
The Kingman County Sheriff's office says crews were called to Jeri's Kitchen about 1:30 Thursday morning.
A city worker noticed smoke and called firefighters. The restaurant is a total loss, but fire crews were able to keep the blaze from spreading to nearby buildings.
"I came to town to have coffee and I drove around front and it ain't there no more," said Ed Pearson.
Pearson is among a large group of people who frequented the restaurant every morning for coffee and breakfast.
"This has been my habit for years, so now I've got to find another habit, I guess."
Even the town's fire chief says Jeri's Kitchen was a focal point for the town - busy from the time it opened in the morning, until it closed in the evening.
Other business owners on Kingman's Main Street even credit the restaurant with bringing extra business to the city's downtown.
