Kim’s Kafe hopes for return to former quality

History is repeating itself at Kim’s Kafe, 206 S. Knowles Ave., New Richmond.

Kim Anderson took over the Next Door Cafe on Aug. 22, and opened Aug. 23 with a new name.

Anderson said she hopes to bring the restaurant back up to the level of long-time owners the Schurmeiers.

Donna Schurmeier still owns the building, and Anderson is leasing the restaurant from her. Schurmeier and her husband ran the restaurant from 1975-1990. Others have leased it since then.

Anderson encourages former customers and new visitors to stop in.

“Give us a try,” she said.

Anderson worked at Suzanna’s Restaurant for 12 years. When it closed, she made her way up Knowles Avenue to the Next Door.

“When I came in the door I thought it could be so much more,” Anderson said.

The first step was a good scrubbing.

“We cleaned the place and decorated,” Anderson said. “All the decor is new.”

The restaurant got a perfect score on their recent health inspection, she added.

A new menu is in the works, with a Friday fish fry, she said. Saturday will feature a breakfast buffet and Sunday will have brunch.

“(Business) has really picked up,” Anderson said.

The staff of about 10 people is a mixture of former Next Door employees and co-workers from Suzanna’s, Anderson said.

Long-time New Richmond pie maker Ione will be baking pies and donuts for Kim’s.

“Everyone told me she’s a gold mine,” Anderson said. “Everyone told me to call her.”

The atmosphere of the cafe should be good for socializing and be a comfy place to go, she said.

“That’s what I want to project,” Anderson said.

From remembering names, chatting with everyone and starting a birthday list – so she doesn’t forget anyone’s – Anderson is winning the hearts of her customers.

“You’ve got something here,” a customer stopped to tell Schurmeier, gesturing at Anderson.

There are a few “regulars,” with more faces becoming familiar all the time, Anderson said.

Some of the current “regulars” started coming for breakfast when they owned the restaurant, Schurmeier added.

“My biggest goal is to have a nice, fun place for people to go,” Anderson said. “I want it to be a friendly, family environment where people can go to have a cup of coffee or a piece of pie and visit.”

The phone number has changed with the ownership; it’s 715-246-3636. Hours are 5 a.m.-3 p.m. daily.

Tags: new richmond, business, food