Coffee time

Citizens Journal-Sun The Atlanta coffee men show up about 6 a.m. at the doors of Burger King out on Loop 59. They stay until around 9 a.m.

This is each morning, and about eight to 10 of them. But attendance can be spotty. They have a long history of meeting for coffee and talk. The group goes back to Miles Drug Store in downtown Atlanta in the 1980s and well before that.

Since then, they’ve had a flush of modern coffee shops set up in the area of U. S. Highway 59 and its juncture with State Highway 77 and West Main Street. Now they get their coffee from McDonalds, Whataburger, Burger King and most recently of all... Starbucks.

Recently, five men were at Burger King. The fellows were Danny Simmons — or was it Donnie? They’re identical twins. Then it was Tom Hooten, Troop Estes, E. L. Lyle and Woody Woods. Member Danny Mayfield came in too late for the picture.

The coffee men as a group have a personality. They are full of good spirit and constantly talking. Since each has sixty or more years under their belt, they’ve plenty to talk about. Nothing can be said without someone making an elaboration.

And they have good memories. They were an unofficial “good guys” group when they met at Chic Miles’ drug store decades ago. For example, no one made or paid for the coffee when served then. You were on an honor system, and Tom Hooten came early to make the coffee and serve it, too. Not a waitress around.

Refills were unnoticed but accounted for. You paid in some way.

And so, with such a fine history, the five men meeting for coffee last week were friendly, happy and a smiling group. They say they like Burger King especially because the staff and servers are so friendly and happy there. Everyone receives a “Good Morning” when coming in. And coffee is often, or maybe always, free. No one keeps close notice.

When asked how the coffee men benefit the business for three hours of taking up all that space and conversational oxygen, several replied, nodding in agreement, “Well, the public driving by can see the parking lot so filled with white pick-up trucks ... they know this must be a good place, and so they just turn in.”

And if the public wants, they can join the coffee men’s conversation, too. Here’s how to do it. Walk up but be slow to take a chair or sit down too quickly. Smile when something is declared, and then carefully scan for a break or pause in the talk. Then say something.

Now don’t worry if you have to interrupt someone a little. This is expected. Without fail, you’ll be interrupted, too, but finally accepted into the group. Then, be ready to hang around for another 40-50 years, OK?