By Kelly Youngblood
A new Greek-inspired restaurant will open in Savoy, offering breakfast, lunch, dinner, and what owner Kyle Kirchhoefer hopes will become a place for community connection.
Kyle’s Corner, which will offer authentic Greek cuisine along with traditional American fare, will open on Friday, March 6, at 501 Commerce Drive in Savoy (the former Industrial Donut building). The restaurant will be open from 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Monday through Sunday.
Kyle’s Corner is the most recent business venture for the self-described “serial entrepreneur,” who owns and operates a handful of businesses and personal companies in real estate, development, and residential home building. He also runs a non-profit organization with this wife in Tolono called TM Horse Haven.
Kirchhoefer has no Greek heritage but found a love for Greek food while visiting the same New Jersy restaurant for many summers with his wife. The two also got to know the owner, Gus Kazakos, who spends half the year running his restaurant and the other half at his home in Greece.
“I first ate at Opa, the restaurant Gus owns in Ocean City, N.J., back in 2007,” Kirchhoefer said. “Our job brought us to the Jersey shore for six or seven summers and then (we) continued to vacation there. Each time we would spend numerous meals enjoying Opa’s delicious food and Gus’ hospitality.”
Kirchhoefer, who joked about someday bringing Kazakos’ food to Central Illinois, had always been interested in running a restaurant, but the timing was never right. When he heard about the closure of Industrial Donut, a place he had frequented often for the six-plus years it served the community, Kirchhoefer saw it as a sign to follow through on his dream — to bring the Greek food he loved to the community he was passionate about building up.
So, he called Kazakos to discuss the possibility of bringing Opa’s menu to Savoy. Kirchhoefer spent a few days in New Jersey doing his research and talking through initial plans, and the two agreed to have Kazakos fly in from Greece before the opening to help train the kitchen staff at Kyle’s Corner.
“For someone who lives in Greece and then spends five to six months a year running a restaurant in New Jersey, it speaks to his nature of serving and giving to help me with this venture,” Kirchhoefer said.
About 70 percent of the menu includes items Kazakos has perfected over the last 20 years — think Greek staples like crepes, gyros, pita sandwiches, and falafel. (This Chambanamom can confirm that the chicken pita with its soft, warm bread, perfectly seasoned chicken, and homemade dipping sauces — like chipotle aioli, tzatziki, and hummus — is well worth the trip!)
Kyle’s Corner has already amassed a large social media audience on Facebook and Instagram since the opening announcement came out two months ago. People are enjoying following Kirchhoefer along as he gives updates on the restaurant’s progress and offers comedic entertainment with his energetic and upbeat personality.
Kirchhoefer credits brand manager Becca Powers for helping to build up the excitement about the opening of Kyle’s Corner through her media expertise. He has also leaned on Powers, the former owner of Industrial Donut, for her knowledge of the restaurant industry.
“It takes a very humble and unique person who’s willing to sit in the same place that they gave their all to, and it didn’t work, to then come back and come alongside somebody else to help do it simply because they also care about Savoy,” Kirchhoefer said.