In 1985 Mike Barton opened a brand new burger joint on Mansfield Highway competing with the local favorite Dairy Queen just down the street. {{more}}Opening day for Mike?s Burger Box was better than even he had hoped. The line of cars waiting to get into the parking lot and drive-thru snaked down both sides of 287 and the Kennedale Police were called in to direct traffic.
It has been 30 years and some 2.4 million burgers later and Michael who now has 10 grandchildren has decided that he was ready to retire. Burger Box will remain but under new ownership with the offer to keep the current employees.
The new owner, Keith Yoon, who has several other Burger Box restaurants in the Bedford-Hurst area, has undertaken a complete remodel of the current Box inside and out. He has also offered jobs to the current employees.
The old Burger Box is undergoing major renovations and should be open mid-summer under
new management
What will be missed is Mike?s booming voice, his big smile and his commitment to the community. From the moment he opened, he became involved in community events including school activities, KYA and the Kennedale Chamber of Commerce. He helped revitalize a dormant Chamber soon after his arrival and stayed an active member through out.
Mike made this statement to his many customers, ?It has been a pleasure to serve you. We have had tons of fun and we are happy to call you our friends.?
He went on to say, ?As terrific as it has been, it is time to turn over the reign to a new energy. I am looking forward to spending time with my kids and 10 grand kids, play a little golf, travel a little to see old friends and spend a little time not doing much of anything.?
The new owner has been onsite almost daily supervising the remodeling and hopes to have the store back up and running by the end of the summer.The following is a video made by the Kennedale Chamber in a salute to Mike and his many years in business in Kennedale.
