Joe Toppe
Staff Writer
Nearly four decades have come and gone since Joe Lesley first opened the doors of his restaurant on East Main Street in Easley.
“Joe’s” opened on his daughter’s birthday of July 31, 1972, and has since become an institution and tradition of the community.
“It’s been 40 years since I first came here, and I have seen so many changes. I don’t know how many restaurants and eating places have come since I have been here,” said Lesley. “For us to be successful here, it was the people and the repeat business, and if I didn’t have the wife that I have, I wouldn’t be this successful at all, she is the backbone of our family.”
The four decades have seen many changes.
Before it was “Joe’s”, it was an ice cream parlor, and several businesses that stood alongside the restaurant have been demolished and turned into a parking lot.
“Next door, there was a pool hall, and next door to that there was an Easley Heating and Plumbing, but in 1974 they tore the pool hall and the Easley Heating and Plumbing down and I bought the property and made a parking lot out of it,” said Lesley.
In spite of constant change, “Joe’s” has remained, and continues to serve as a meeting place and hub for many Easley residents.
“It’s been wonderful. The people have been wonderful to us in Easley. It couldn’t have been any better,” said Lesley.
In honor of the 40 years, the restaurant will sell .72 cent hot dogs (Limit 4) on the 31st and will offer one item from the dollar menu for .72 cents each day of the week from Monday, July 30- Saturday, August 4.
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