The iconic Greek diner Olympia in Connecticut a staple for over 70 years and featured in films such as ‘Jacknife’ (1989) starring Robert De Niro is up for sale.
Known as “the longest stainless steel diner in the country,” the “OD” as locals refer to it, has been owned by three Greek families, the Kritikos and Goulias families respectively for 10 years each, and the current owners, the Gavrilis family, since 1974.
Emmanuel ‘Manny’ Gavrilis immigrated to the United States from Greece on 1966 and worked at the Olympia. He and his wife Efrosini ‘Florence’ Gavrilis bought the diner in 1974, expanding it with a dining room to double its size in 1986. The couple ran the business together until Manny Gavrilis passed away in 2001.
Efrosini Gavrilis, who has family in the area, is listed as the current owner. The business grew under the Gavrilis family’s ownership, and in 1986, they added a dining room, doubling the diner’s square footage.
As noted on the diner’s website, the Olympia Diner was crafted by the Jerry O’Mahony Diner Company of New Jersey, who is said to have produced 2,000 diners from 1917 to 1941.
These roadside diners were primarily metal buildings, prefabricated in a factory, and trucked to the location, like the Olympia which originally opened in Massachusetts, and was trucked to Newington, CT, in 1954. The three sections were set atop a waiting foundation and the terrazzo floor was poured on site.
The emblematic Greek Olympia Diner
Professional photographers and Instagrammers have shot countless photos of the diner, inside and out. Artists of all types have painted, sketched and drawn the diner. Each has captured the stainless and neon structure and brought it to life in their own unique way.
Some of these works of art are on display in the dining room.
Many commercials & public service announcements have been filmed on the premises as well as scenes from the movies Jacknife starring Robert DeNiro in 1989 and Promises in the Dark starring Marcia Mason in 1979. More recently, a scene from Once More With Feeling starring Drea de Matteo was shot.
Politicians on the campaign trail have held rallies here. Magazine and newspaper articles have been written about this fixture of the pike. The Sequoia computer company used the diner in a print ad and the novel Homesick Creek was published using a photo of the diner on the cover.
The Olympia Diner has survived the ups and downs of the past 70 years and continued to stand the test of time. Throughout the years, many customers have become like family to the diner’s employees and owners. Some patrons have met their spouses here.
The official website says “Deals have been made, contracts have been signed, a marriage proposal accepted and divorce papers served. Families with newborn babies and elderly grandparents have shared booths and created memories. Traditions were started.
“Truckers from near and far have rested, digested and fueled up on coffee before heading back on the road. Travelers from the US and abroad have posed in front of the neon sign and bought postcards to mail home.”
Related: Iconic Greek Establishment Neptune Diner Closes in Astoria, NYC