Downtown Restaurant Serving Last Homemade Scoops

By Jacqueline Sit, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A long-time restaurant known for its homemade ice cream and soda fountains is closing its doors, ending nearly two decades of service.

From the sizzling burgers to the creamy dreamy ice cream, Kaiser's Grateful Bean Café is a midtown favorite. The restaurant is a historic landmark started with this man on a mission.

"The mission is to provide opportunities for people who've been down on their luck so the bean project provides a second chance," said Grateful Bean owner Paul Schaffer.

The Grateful Bean provides a second chance for those to start over.

"So people out of alcohol rehab, people out of drug rehab, a homeless person, the person who is the bank president who after FDIC investigated was asked to leave the bank, all these people have worked at the Grateful Bean," the owner said.

After being in business for 18 years, the restaurant will be scooping its last sundae.

"It's more expense than we can handle. It's simple -- the expenses exceeded income and we've had a rash of equipment failures that total about $40,000," said Schaffer.

This came as a shock to those who normally take the stroll from St. Anthony's Hospital for a bite.

"This place is great so it's kinda sad to see that they're leaving. I didn't hear about it until now," said customer Bill Schueler.

"It's very sad," said regular Sam Safavi. "It's gonna be a loss to the city in my opinion."

For owner Pete Schaffer, it's a tough loss he must part with, but even in these tough times his optimism never fails.

"Who can ask for anything more? This is the best to see the excitement of people's faces," Schaffer said.

Join the Grateful Bean gang Saturday, July 31 at 2 p.m. for a free ice cream sundae party for one last big hurrah on its closing day.