Cheers to the Coffee Club!

Members of the historic Coffee Club at a recent party. Back row from left: Jeff Lee, Finbarr Saunders, Jeff Chapman, Howard Vogel, Alan Carmichael, Tom Hodge, Bob Page, Ward Phillips, Bill Snyder, George Wilson and John Gill. Front row, from left: Pam Fansler, David Martin, Mintha Roach, Bob Worthington and Joe Johnson. Active members not pictured: Tom Hale and Larry Martin. (Photo by Sandy Martin.)

When members of the venerable Coffee Club, who have been meeting at least weekly in downtown Knoxville since the 1930s, looked at their bank account record the other day, they noticed they had a tidy little sum saved up.

I love the martinis at Cherokee Country Club!

Since their expenses are minimal and their $50 per year dues more than cover their costs, they pondered what to do with the money. The answer: a party!

So earlier this month the members and their spouses gathered for drinks and dinner at Cherokee Country Club. It was a lovely time. (The Club normally meets every Friday for lunch at Club LeConte.)

The last time the Blue Streak wrote about the Coffee Club was in January of 2014 when the group started admitting women for the first time. (Click here for that story.)

According to club documents, the Coffee Club was born in 1930 when James S. Hall, of Hall’s Gay Street Men’s Clothing, invited Charles Griffith, the new manager of the Sears Roebuck & Co., to join him for a cup of coffee. They met at Cole’s Drug Store in the nearby Greyhound bus arcade. Soon, they were joined by J.P. Roddy, W.S. Hall, W.G. (Fats) Chambers, Edward S. Albers, Tom McCroskey and  Wallace Woodruff. Many other business and professional men joined them occasionally for a cup of coffee and some friendly discussion.

Jon Roach, the husband of Coffee Club member Mintha Roach, with Club member Pam Fansler.

Unfortunately, Robert H. Cole, the owner of Cole’s Drug Store, asked that the group leave his enterprise on Gay Street. Seems they spent only a nickel for coffee and took up much needed space in his soda fountain area. The group moved to the Farragut Hotel Coffee Shop until it closed. They then moved to the Garden Restaurant, followed by the City Club, until it closed and its building was demolished. Next stop was Club LeConte, the current meeting spot.

Mintha Roach, the president and CEO of Knoxville Utilities Board and one of the two women admitted to the Coffee Club two years ago, says she has enjoyed being a member. “I learn a lot from the conversations and it’s been a good opportunity for me to get to know some great leaders in our community,” she said. “And when they DO have  a party, it’s a good one!”

Jeff Lee, the general manager of WBIR-TV, Channel 10, also is very enthusiastic about the group. “It’s just such a nice social occasion that I look forward to on Fridays,” he said. “Everybody is in a different business and I like to hear the wide variety of opinions. You never know what subjects are going to come up and we never all agree. I like that.”

Alan Carmichael, the president and COO of Moxley Carmichael (and also my husband), also values the assortment of people and viewpoints. “It’s always been about getting together to share opinions about what’s going on,” he said. “I like the discussions about current events, politics and business news.”

Apparently the party was such a hit that club members are hoping to have another one in the not too distant future. In order to finance it, they are contemplating doubling their annual dues to $100.

At left, Club member George Wilson and his wife, Susie, with Club member Tom Hodge and his wife, Judy.

Club member David Martin with Margie Nichols, who is married to Club Member John Gill.

Club Members Bill Snyder, left, and Jeff Chapman.

Club members Ward Phillips, left, and John Gill with Gill’s wife, Margie Nichols.

Club member George Wilson with his wife, Susie, and Marnie Page, left, the wife of Club member Bob Page.

Nibbles were served during cocktail hour.

From left, George Wilson, Pat Johnson, who is married to Club member Joe Johnson, and Club member Alan Carmichael.

When it was time to sit down, we were greeted by a spinach salad topped with a huge parmesan cheese crouton.

The entree included something for everyone: beef tenderloin and grilled salmon.

Club member David Martin with his wife, Sandy.

Club member Joe Johnson and his wife, Pat.

Club member Ward Phillips with his wife, Tracy.

Club member Howard Vogel, left, with wife, Lynn, and Club member Bob Page with wife, Marnie.

Club member Mintha Roach and her husband, Jon, at left, with Club member Jeff Lee and his wife, Christy.

Club member John Gill with his wife, Margie Nichols.

Club member Tom Hodge with his wife, Judy.

Club member Bill Snyder and his wife, Margi.

Club members Bob Worthington, left, and Finbarr Saunders.

Yum, yum! Creme Brulee.