Mr. K, beloved founder of iconic Charlotte soft ice cream shop, dies at 91
Theodore Karres, the gregarious founder of the iconic Mr. K’s Soft Ice Cream who became known simply as “Mr. K” to generations of Charlotte residents, died April 22, at the age of 91.
Karres founded the iconic South End restaurant that grew from an ice cream stand named Zesto’s in 1967 into a local institution known for its hamburgers and soft-serve dip-top cones and shakes.
Customers would often shout his name, run up to shake his hand and give him a hug wherever he went, according to his obituary.
Karres’ lasting influence is reflected in the tributes and memories people have posted online over the past few days as word of his death spread. “Rest in Peace to a Charlotte NC Icon!,” art and gift shop Magnolia Emporium said in a Facebook post.
“Everyone loved Mr. K. Great food! Sad to hear him pass away,” David Kingry said on Facebook.
From Greek immigrant to ‘Mr. K’
Born Theodoros Andreas Kariyiannis on Sept. 19, 1934, in Karyes, Laconia Greece, he grew up with his siblings Konstantinos (Gus), Kalliope and Nikos. When he was 10, Karres had a job unloading potatoes for 50 cents a day.
Karres moved to the U.S. in 1955, arriving at Ellis Island and settling in Chicago. He and his wife Demetra Karres of Sparta, Greece, raised their first two children, Pamela and Andrew, in Chicago before moving to Charlotte in 1967, where they welcomed their third child, George, and opened the restaurant.
During Hurricane Hugo 1989, when much of the city was without power, Mr. K’s was one of the few places that remained open. He was at the restaurant every day, serving customers until the food ran out. He also famously restocked supplies daily with the help of his daughter Pamela, who drove from Raleigh with provisions.
His daughter and son-in-law Pamela and George Dizes, and son George Karres, bought the restaurant after Karres’ retirement in 1996.
In 2010, Center City Partners, which promotes the economic and cultural development of uptown and South End, gave the Settlers Award to Mr. K’s Soft Ice Cream & Drive In. It recognizes a company’s pioneering spirit
The restaurant’s final owner was his son-in-law, George Dizes. After 54 years, the restaurant closed in March 2021 when Dizes retired.
At the time, customers reacted quickly on social media with messages like: “I am literally, yes literally, crying. You were South End before South End was cool.”
Community and Charlotte family life of Mr. K
Karres remained active in the Charlotte community after his retirement, volunteering in the cardiac unit at Atrium Health CMC Main, and offering patients and their families encouragement. A member of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, he participated in the annual Greek Festival that the church runs. He is survived by his sons, Andrew Karres and George Karres (wife Vasiliki), and five grandchildren. His wife of 64 years had died in 2023, and his daughter died in 2019. Funeral services were held Tuesday, April 28, at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral. Arrangements were handled by Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service.
Mr. K and South End
Karres loved South End and the people. The feeling was mutual.
“You could come in here and say, Mr. K, here is a million dollars — get out of the business,’ and I’m not going to change it for nothing,” he told the Observer in 1992. “This is my life, right here.”
After retiring, Karres still spent many days at the ice cream shop.
“We know what customers drive,” he told the Observer in 1997. “ They put their foot out of the car and we get their food ready. We say, If you want something else, you gotta call before you get here.”
