Key Diner opens its doors

A love of the blues has led John Runyon to Redkey and will soon — he hopes — lead to the re-birth of the Key Palace.
In the meantime, it’s led to the opening of a new diner.
Runyon acquired the former blues club at a tax sale and has been waiting to clear all the legal hurdles necessary to take possession.
He now hopes that will take place in a matter of days.
“I have a huge passion for music,” said Runyon, who operates a mowing and snow-plowing business. Re-opening the Key would fill some gaps in his seasonal calendar.
While waiting to take possession of the Key Palace — a former movie house that was a popular blues venue for several years when operated by the late Charlie Noble — Runyon noticed that Small Town Pizza, across Indiana 1 from the Key, had closed its doors.
He also noticed that Redkey area residents needed a place to gather for their morning coffee.
“I came over here for breakfast,” said Runyon. “And I know a lot of people wanted it back.”
But before he and his wife Caressa made the leap into the restaurant business, Runyon consulted with his mother, Candy.
“I wanted to find out if she thought I was crazy,” he said. “But my mother was willing to be crazy with me.”
The Key Diner opened its doors at the former Small Town Pizza location just days after it was acquired. It’s now serving breakfast — and plenty of hot coffee — from 6 to 11 a.m. Monday through Saturday. John and Caressa Runyon are the owners, and Candy Runyon is the manager. The hours may expand in the future, but plans are still taking shape.
Meanwhile, to make sure the blues vibe that started the venture continues, the Key Diner will host a performance by blues guitarist Stacy Mitchhart on Tuesday. Dinner will be served from 5 to 6:30 p.m., and Mitchhart will perform at 7 p.m.