Kim Roberson opened Kim’s Diner on March 1, 2022, fulfilling a dream she shared with her late father. Now, three years later, she’s asking the Owensboro community to help her keep that dream alive.
Roberson announced this week that her landlord plans to sell the building at 1212 East 18th Street, where her restaurant operates. She has been given the first option to buy the property but said securing a traditional loan would be difficult because of her credit history.
“For the last few years, I have been renting my building,” Roberson said. “It has come to my attention this week that my landlord will soon be selling the property. If I don’t buy it, I will be asked to leave and he will sell to someone else.”
Roberson said she has already lost sleep worrying about the situation but remains determined to find a way to stay. Rather than launching a GoFundMe, she plans to host a fundraiser where she will work for the donationsshe receives.
On Saturday, May 3, Kim’s Diner will serve sack lunches — a cheeseburger or hotdog with a bag of chips — from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with customers asked to donate what they can. She also recently started offering photography services, with proceeds going toward the purchase of the building.
“I want to earn anything I get in life,” Roberson said. “I can’t worry about anything but buying this building so my employees will get to continue taking care of their families from a place they love to work at.”
Roberson said she has been overwhelmed with gratitude for the outpouring of support from the community.
“Fingers crossed for my future,” she said. “I know a lot of people look at my building and see that it’s old, but it’s not about what it looks like on the outside. It’s about the love that we have invested on the inside.”
She said if the building becomes hers, she can invest her own money on the inside and outside to make improvements with time.
“I appreciate everyone in Owensboro. I really don’t realize how many people are rooting for my success, and I appreciate everyone so much from the bottom of my heart. This is not the ending of Kim’s Diner, but the beginning of hopefully a great future.”
Since opening Kim’s Diner, Roberson has built a loyal following. Many customers followed her from her previous time working as a server, and she credits the community’s support — and her dedicated staff — for the diner’s early success.
Kim’s Diner has continued to grow, even expanding its offerings last fall by adding dinner plate lunches after hearing requests from customers displaced by the closure of another popular diner. The menu features home-cooked favorites like meatloaf, roast beef, country-fried steak, and all-you-can-eat catfish and frog legs.
Kim’s Diner remains open seven days a week, operating from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and until noon on Saturday and Sunday. Breakfast is served all day, and the menu also features daily plate lunch specials and fresh, never-frozen burgers.
To learn more about Kim’s Diner or to stay updated on the fundraiser, visit Kim’s Diner on Facebook.
