New Ko-Op Cafe Opens - September 17, 1961

Coe, Nancy (Sept. 27, 1961). “Walt Warmoth Opens New Restaurant; Enters 21st Year of Business in the City.” Daily Eastern News, p.10.

http://thekeep.eiu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1001&context=den_1961_sep

A cigarette and a cup of coffee are the trademarks of a man who can usually be seen leaning against the cash register at Walt’s Cafe - Walt Warmoth.

Walt had been in business for some 20 years at two locations near the campus. His restaurants have been favorite gathering places for students and faculty alike.

Warmoth’s latest venture, the Ko-Op Cafe, opened Sept. 17, on the location previously occupied by the original Ko-Op.

The old Ko-Op, Walt’s first restaurant, was erected on Lincoln St., just east of Seventh, in March, 1940. It served students until 1959, when construction of Route 17 (State Hwy 16) resulted in the condemnation of the building.

Warmoth then started Walt’s Cafe, often called the “Open,” on the corner of Fourth and Lincoln. The new Ko-Op was open for business only six weeks after his August decision to re-build the cafe.

“Things have started off real well at the Ko-Op,” said Walt. ”It’s a good traffic corner.”

Under the direction of Larry Mizener, who has been with Walt as manager since 1952, the Ko-Op will operate much the same as Walt’s. Both restaurants function entirely with student help consisting of some 30 men.

“Many of the guys who have worked for me in the past have tremendously good jobs now?, Walt said. “Some have even opened their own restaurants.”

Howard Skidmore, flight-service commander to the carrier that picked up astronaut Alan Shepard after his space flight, worked for Warmoth during his college career. “Skidmore is a good man,” Walt said. “Recently, he sent me pictures of the pick-up. It was really something.”

Walt commented that he never seemed to have many big problems with his businesses. “I suppose I could find some if I really looked, but I just enjoy the work,” he said.

A sports enthusiast and Panther fan, Walt attends most of Eastern’s games, as he said “according to season.”

Walt attended Eastern in 1935 and 1937. He then entered the University of Illinois medical school. When asked just why he left the university, he replied, “I decided that hamburgers smelled better than formaldehyde.”

Walt Warmoth's Story - Part 1

To work at the Ko-Op for Larry Mizener made one a part of Walt Warmoth's business too. Walt's, The Ko-op, Ike's Little Campus and later the Short Stop were all connected. I first met Walt at a joint Walt's and Ko-Op Christmas party held at Walt's in Dec. 1964.

It was a great holiday bash with Walt's manager Mike Frazier leading and members of his crew delivering a huge feast with unlimited beverages. Walt was the center of attention. Learned that if you knew how to conduct oneself, you were welcome to visit Walt after closing hours. He held 'court' standing behind the counter with a lit cigarette, a drink in hand, and commanded everyone's attention. At that time, Walt's crew included Jim Mizener (Larry's younger brother), Alan York, Dick Wutche, Bob Bonarigo (Those are the one's that I remember).

Everyone kicked in to help; we had roast turkey, baked ham, and all the trimmings (Way more food than we could eat), and one of Walt's crew moved an organ into the back room to lead us in singing carols (The musical instrument may have been from Donna and Walt's family residence upstairs).

The following year was the Ko-Op's turn to host, but none ever equalled this first one. Party lasted into the wee morning hours - and was the best ever!

Left side: Alan York at the grill, unknown beside him, Jim Mizener in glasses,

and possibly Mike Frazier on the far end.

This article in the campus newspaper focused on Walt and his history in Charleston:

Howard, Juanita (Mar. 9, 1955). Walt’s Business Success Tags Title of ‘Mayor of South Charleston’. Eastern State News, p. 3.

http://thekeep.eiu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1001&context=den_1955_mar

Would you like to own a business? What is your chance in it? Well, listen to Walter Warmoth’s story.

A history of the Ko-Op, Little Campus, and the Open consists also of the history of Walter Warmoth, originally a Wabash County resident (Correction: Browns, IL in Edwards County) and former Eastern student.

‘Walt’ as the majority of Eastern students know him, started school here in the fall of 1935. The selection of Eastern to be his alma mater came after viewing the campus while visiting Charleston with the Walgreen’s Drugstore Exchange of Chicago, by whom he was then employed.

“The improvements which have been made in the college since that time are incomparable,” said ‘Walt’, as he thoughtfully lit another cigarette.

He bought the Little Campus in 1937, after having worked there during his school days. With his ready smile, plenty of hard work and ambition, ‘Walt’ soon had to add an additional room to accommodate its student patrons.

The converting of a grocery store to establish the Ko-Op soon followed, serving sandwiches, fountain goods and hot meals.

When Lincoln and Douglas halls were erected, ‘Walt’ saw the need for one more “hangout” for the Eastern students, so, in 1953, he built the Open which has since became another favorite spot for the coke crowd to assemble.

‘Walt’ has been in the restaurant business here for 18 years, with the exception of (Unreadable number) years spent in the armed services and studying medicine at the University of Illinois in Chicago.

When asked about his intentions in this field, ‘Walt’ replied “Although my chief interest was in business, I liked to study.”

‘Walt’ is an active member of the Masons, Elks, American legion and numerous other organizations. He is also an honorary member of the Sigma Tau Gamma social fraternity.

He was married in 1944 to Donna Smith, also a former Eastern grad and has a boy (William) six years old and a girl (Linda) four years old.

Photo of Wallace Walter 'Cy' Warmoth, Walt Warmoth's Uncle.
Professional baseball player 1916-1923.
Pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals and Washington Senators.

Click on Comments (Below right side) to read more . . .

EIU Campus Hangouts

I have been searching Eastern's online archives, The Keep, for information related to the Ko-Op. This posting is my first installment - an article written by Jack Ryan in October of 1957 in the Daily Eastern News. Note that I have not made any corrections, especially in punctuation - have tried to leave the article exactly as published. In the coming months, I will share other articles from the archives.

Ryan, Jack (Oct. 2, 1957). "Eastern’s Campus Hangouts". Daily Eastern News; p4.

In the everlasting tradition of college campus hangouts Eastern takes a backseat to no one. From sitting on the benches watching all the girls go by to jiving it up at a little campus jam session the student clientele spends its carefree hours of relaxation.

On three sides of the campus proper the students are accommodated by the Little Campus, Ko-Op, and Walts (commonly called the Open).

A history of the Ko-Op, Little Campus, and the Open consists also of the history of Walter Warmoth.

“Walt” bought the Little Campus in 1937, after having worked there during his school days. With the increase in enrollment, Walt soon had to build an additional room to accommodate its student patrons.

The converting of a grocery store to establish the Ko-Op soon followed, serving sandwiches, fountain goods, and hot meals.

When Lincoln and Douglas halls were erected, ‘Walt’ saw the need for one more “hangout” for the Eastern students, so, in 1953, he built the Open which has since become another favorite spot for the coke crowd to assemble.

Under the proprietorship of Ivan “Ike” Kennard, the “Little Campus” has become one of the most popular meeting places on campus. ‘Ike’ a navy pilot in the second world war, took over the “Little Campus” in 1948.

Also under the proprietorship of an Eastern graduate Larry Mizener, the Ko-Op is growing in popularity among Eastern students. Larry received his B.S. at Eastern and took over the Ko-Op in 1952.