For Pete, there's more at stake than just business during the pandemic

If you search the Continental Restaurant on Google, its listing calls it a “modest eatery serving American & Greek specialties, including breakfast all day & classic desserts.”

Menu items aside, what hits home in the description is “modest.”

Just like its owner, Pete Panayiotou.

Pete Panayiotou

His plight came to light last week in a social media post that said if the state goes into a lockdown in an effort to control the spiraling COVID-19 pandemic in Illinois, Panayiotou may be forced to close The Continental.

It’s a concern for Panayiotou to be sure, but it’s not his primary concern. If you know Pete (as he is affectionately known around town) then it won’t surprise you that his primary concern is for his employees.

That’s Pete.

“It’s not just a problem for me,” he says, “but for every restaurant.” But not every restaurant has a Pete. The Continental opened 25 years this past May and true to form, Pete was hoping to have a celebration. But pandemic be damned, he couldn’t.  Now he’s looking to have one in May of 2021.

That’s not his focus now. It’s obviously on the restaurant. Specifically, on his staff. Talk to Pete about the trials and tribulations of pandemic and without fail, his focus shifts to his staff.

He had 22 employees when things went south last spring. The staff now numbers 20, but only because two found other jobs. The remaining staff is still on board despite the obstacles. “Little by little I started bringing them back,” Panayiotou says. Which makes the 57-year-old immigrant form Cyprus happy. He is especially happy for one employee.

Pete didn’t know just how dire the employee’s situation was until he saw him riding his bike to and from work. “I was thinking the whole summer he rode his bike for fresh air.”

That wasn’t the case. “He had no choice,” Panayiotou says. “He had to sell his car.”

The fact that he’s only lost two employees can be seen as a tribute to Panayiotou and his passion for people and how they return they appreciate what he does.

Especially his customers. “They are so generous,” Panayiotou says. “They love me and I love them. Buffalo Grove is my bread and butter.” He says he’s especially grateful to the various village departments, staff and officials that patronize The Continental.

“The Buffalo Grove Police Department, the mayor (Beverly Sussman) – oh my god –they order from here almost every day.” Other village departments, including the Fire Department, also support The Continental.

He continues to be humbled by the support of his customers, many of whom toss in extra money for employees. “I know 90 percent of my customers by name,” Panayiotou says. After 25 years, the success he’s had goes beyond knowing names.

Take the menu for example. Panayiotou says when he first opened the menu featured items that he liked. Since then he’s added items that reflects the tastes and desires of customers – like chicken soup with matzo balls.

The generosity of his customers is not a one-way street. Panayiotou lets customers list a favorite nonprofit entity (churches, synagogues, charities) and once a month he donates to area organizations.

But when it comes to caring, Panayiotous main focus continues to be his staff – even during the struggles associated with the pandemic.

Panayiotou says every Sunday, his manager goes through the extra tips which are then split among all of the employees. He’ll do whatever he can to help his staff. For example, The Continental has started offering deliver for a $5 fee.  And where does the five bucks go? Not to Panayiotou – but to the driver.

He could use the money to make up the losses he has endured, which are in excess of $150,000, but that’s not his nature. Through it all, Panayiotou maintains an amazingly positive attitude celebrating whatever ‘victories’ come his way.

Take Mother’s Day for example. There were days when he was coming up $1,000 short of his goal. On Mother’s Day, the loss was ‘only’ $300.  To Panayiotou that was a success. The Fourth of July was even better -- Panayiotou says he broke even.

Panayiotou, like other restaurateurs, are all facing the same challenges.

For Peter, however, the continued support shows him that even in light of the pandemic and bans on indoor dining, his customers care.

And he, in return, returns the care.