RESERVATIONS AVAILABLE FOR LUNCH AND DINNER!… NOW, HERE’S THE MAJESTIC STORY.
The Story of Family, The Story of America.
In 1914, my Grandfather, Peter Ghiates, left his home in Northern Greece to start a new life in America. Although he made that first trip alone; what he did bring with him was the tradition, work ethic and pride that had defined his family for generations.
Grandpa Ghiates was the kind of man that was not about to make such a life changing move without actually changing his life in the process. He would not only aspire to the American dream; he was determined to make it a reality. It was this initiative that would serve to define the values and traditions of the Ghiates family as they navigated their way to becoming proud American citizens.
His first stop was Youngstown, Ohio; and true to his entrepreneurial Greek spirit, he spent the next years making a living as a small businessman serving the community. In 1925, an opportunity arose to go into business with a friend down the road in Greenville, PA and The Majestic Restaurant and Bowling/Billiards Hall was born. In 1928, Grandpa returned to Greece, and this time he was accompanied back to America by my pregnant grandmother, Aphrodite. Before long my uncle Mike, and my mom, Zoe, were born as first generation Americans.
It was not an easy time to start a business. The early years were marked by the events of the Great Depression and WWII, but insteadof letting these hardships derail his dreams, my grandfather found a way to use them to help him prosper. When other local establishments were running out of liquor during the war, Grandpa would treat the local Greek ladies to a ride in his automobile. In return they were thrilled to share their ration cards (more…)
