A Mansfield ‘landmark’ closes - Kathy Johns Restaurant shuts its doors
Not long ago, Mansfield said goodbye to someone who left his mark on many lives, despite a life of hardship - “Ramblin Rich” Miller. One of his favorite hang-outs was a restaurant called Kathy Johns, just up the road from the intersection of Routes 195 and 44 (also known as Four Corners).
For at least the last 30 years, this was the restaurant where you’d take your friends if you wanted a fresh made burger and onion rings, or an ice cream sundae, or just a cuppa coffee so you could sit in one of the booths and chat - usually among the din of a lot of other conversations, and the sounds of cooking.
It was also the place to go for a quick and unusual little gift (puppets, art supplies, toys) and unique card for a birthday - or if you are a “stamper,” it was the place to browse hundreds of different designs. Now the doors are closed.
According to a longtime customer, the last day of business was Sunday, Feb. 8.
This makes two major ‘landmarks’ at that intersection that are now empty - the other being the Bates garage that opened in 1968 and closed last March.
Why Kathy Johns Restaurant closed, and what happens to that property will be the subject of a future story - which will also address rumors that there are plans to build a Walgreens on the site.
7 Responses to “A Mansfield ‘landmark’ closes - Kathy Johns Restaurant shuts its doors”
I was so sorry to see Kathy John’s dark the other day. It was a favorite meeting place for myself and friends. We even got the ‘gong’ once for ordering a super-sized sundae platter! I also loved their gift shop area, and have my living space illuminated with paper lanterns purchased there recently. I had noticed their 40%-off on-going sale, but when I asked, got no information re: their potentially closing–so thought maybe they were just re-vamping or downsizing the gift shop portion.
I wish I had had more warning that they were actually closing; it did take me by surprise.
If I had known, I would have stocked up on Hodge Podge soup, one of my all-time favorites. Is there any way to get the recipe? or does anyone remember the ingredients?
Comment made on March 30th, 2009 at 5:23 pm[...] Mansfield Today, and then the Hartford Courant, report that long-time Mansfield Four Corners landmark Kathy [...]
Comment made on March 31st, 2009 at 3:54 amI worked at Kathy Johns for over a year. The entire staff was either addicted to some drug or recovering from it. The place was far less than sanitary- no one ever washed their hands. I was mortified working there. They illegally disposed of the cooking grease in the dumpster because they didn’t want to pay for proper removal, and the permanent general manager was being paid almost entirely under the table so she could maintain her section 8 housing. Kathy and John who own it are terrible people, just terrible. I remember going there as a child and loving it, but as soon as I started working there I never ate the food again. I’m glad to see it tanked.
Comment made on April 18th, 2009 at 3:39 pmI worked there, too. Truly disgusting. The whole drug addicted staff part is absolutely correct.
Comment made on June 30th, 2009 at 12:21 amFour decades ago, as a long-haired high school student, member of the Honor Society, Student Council and winner of various athletic letters, I went to Kathy John’s to apply for a job. The woman managing the place at the time informed me that because of my long hair, she thought I was a criminal.
Kathy Johns also lost a customer. Good riddance.
Comment made on June 30th, 2009 at 1:48 pmHas anyone found the recipe for the hodgepodge soup? Delicious. We stopped by today & were surprised that the restaurant was closed. Ty for any help re recipe.
Comment made on August 2nd, 2009 at 9:24 pmI went there once, my freshmen year of college (about 10 years ago). The place was disgusting and the wait staff was rude. I came to the conclusion that this place was living on its name and name alone. I went because I was told it was a “UConn Landmark.” I had much better meals at the Friendly’s down the street.
Comment made on November 9th, 2009 at 5:32 pmLeave a Comment