The Coffee Table Club
The enduring tradition of Jasper’s longest running breakfast club
Words by Nick Norris | Images by Al Blanton
An old, round, cedar table with a dozen chairs crowds a corner of Ladybug's Bakery & Deli in downtown Jasper. No one knows for sure how old it is, but Sam Murphy reckons it was crafted back in the 1950s. His guess is as good as anyone's, as the well-kept wooden table was made in his family's old furniture factory.
For decades, the table has served as a second home to some of Jasper's finest. The Coffee Table Club, existing for nearly 80 years, allows friends, both old and new, to come together on weekday mornings to talk about sports, politics, and local headlines over a fresh brew.
Murphy is a legacy member of this unofficial club. His father, a World War II veteran, was one of the founding members.
After the war, returning soldiers missed the camaraderie they had formed with so many others during their service. Thus, the Coffee Table Club was formed in 1948 and has remained a staple of the community since. Now, Sam is an integral piece in keeping the club's legacy alive.
Although Sam and many other members have served, a military background is not necessary to join. Others chose different paths in life. In fact, the bar to entry is essentially nonexistent.
"We don't have any rules about who can join," Sam laughs. "This club is just an excuse for guys to start the day by drinking coffee and spending time together. We have members ranging in age from 48 to 92. Everyone is welcome as long as we all get along and have a good time."
Because the club has been around for so long, it has certainly undergone some changes, perhaps the most notable of these is the change of scenery.
The Coffee Table Club has graced several locations since its inception. It initially began meeting at Vance's Drug Store, once a popular teen hangout thanks to its beloved malt shop and famous hamburgers. Eventually, the club moved to Woolworth's department store, followed by Elegante Bakery, and then Hickoryland Barbecue.
After Hickoryland burned down in a Christmas Eve fire in 2013, the club moved to Ladybug's and has remained there ever since.
Though the location has changed throughout the years, the old cedar table has remained a staple, being moved from location to location. Another constant has been the lively talks and debates.
"Sometimes we can get under each other's skin a little," Sam chuckles. "But everyone always comes back eventually."
And it's easy to see why. Although some heated topics like politics or sports can occasionally lead to minor disagreements, the club members have far more in common than not: from a shared love of the community to an affinity for some light gossip.
"We have some really great guys that come to chat," Sam says. "And we have had some recognizable names from the community in the club over the decades. One of the early members was T.R. Simmons, who founded Pinnacle Bank."
Perhaps the most meaningful aspect is the club's dedication to honoring the past. Not only have the men hauled that old cedar table from location to location over the past 80 years, but they have also added to it.
"Whenever a member passes away, we add a plaque with their name, date of birth and date of passing to the table," Sam explains. "It's how we honor our friends and keep their memory alive in the club."
There are over 140 names proudly displayed on that old cedar table, from T.R. Simmons to his grandson, Steve Hager, who passed away in January 2024.
Though that list of names has grown over the years, so has the number of Coffee Table Club members.
And as the number of chairs around that crowded cedar table continues to grow, so do new friendships and lifelong memories. 78