And just revel in the postcard text used to describe the KOCHI- "The really new idea in suburban fun centers! Luxurious Kochi Motel, king-sized pool and patio combined with the elegance of your own private club for dining and dancing, provide the ideal atmosphere for relaxation and fun. Truly unique luxury at pleasing prices...in the heart of America's newest vacationland!"
Fun AND luxurious? Elegant AND relaxing? But wait, there's more! Text inside the matchbook cover claims these amenities: coffee shop, all rooms with balcony, luxurious honeymoon suite, color TV- radio-background music, ideally suited for conventions and banquets with the ultimate in facilities, individually controlled heating and air conditioning, listed under the heading "Dine in the elegant atmosphere of the home of the Kochi Supper Club". Yes, that is a headscratcher of a statement.
And good luck finding a place that's only listed as "North on Highway 81" How far north? And what if you're driving south, east, or west? And to top it all off. "Kochi" is not an Asian name at all, it's actually a port on the west coast of India. The motel itself is pretty much the typical mid-century modern style found all across America at one time.
Fun-loving luxury-seekers, I think your chain has been yanked.
Despite all this, the KOCHI Motel and Supper Club seems to have been a fairly popular spot for travelers and diners. In fact, the Yankton County Livestock Feeders Association held their yearly meeting there in 1965 and the Kochi Supper Club (whether it was elegant or not) was thriving as a live music establishment as late as 1979.
Still standing on the main drag of Broadway near 12th, the motel is now named the Broadway Inn and the supper club is a place where everybody knows your name, Cheers Bar & Grill.
