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.
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.
