Greek eatery headed back to location on Maine Street

June 5, 2008

By Jamie Busen

A once-popular Greek restaurant will return to Quincy's downtown next week.

The Olive will reopen at 626 Maine, where it operated from 2000 to 2005. The Corner Cafe, which previously operated at the site, closed in April.

"I like Quincy so much," owner Katina Spanos said. "There are nice people, and I have lots of friends. I can't wait to open."

Spanos and her husband, Valisios, opened the Pizza & amp; Gryo House in Quincy in 1992 after spending 18 years running a pizza restaurant in Columbia, Mo. They sold the Gyro House in 2000 and opened the Olive.

They came to the United States from Thessaloniki, Greece, and returned to their homeland several years ago. Spanos said they had planned on coming back to Quincy to spend a few months visiting with friends when she learned her old location was empty.

"If I didn't find the right place, I wasn't going to do it," she said, standing inside the restaurant Wednesday afternoon while renovation work was being done. "I love this place."

She said the downtown "looks better" and a "bit fancier" than she remembers. Maine is being improved from Fourth to 10th streets, with work scheduled to be completed in the fall.

"I feel very comfortable and safe here," she said of the city.

Building owner Bret Austin said he's pleased the eatery is returning.

"They ran a good restaurant, and a lot of people were really sad to see them go," he said. "They were a popular business and a strong business, and they have a lot of restaurant experience."

Spanos said the menu will be entirely Greek food. She's applying for a liquor license today and will sell Greek and other wines. She anticipates being open for lunch and dinner six days a week, though the opening date and exact hours have not been set.

Austin said he anticipates renovating the four apartments above the restaurant next year. The city is also making improvements to the alley west of the building to allow for outdoor seating for about 15.