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WEIRTON – A local restaurant is looking toward the future, with plans for a new and bigger location.
On Wednesday, Yianni Bourbakis and Shawn Mihellis, owners of Theo Yianni’s Greek Restaurant, were joined by family, friends, city officials and local business leaders in breaking ground for the restaurant’s future home on American Way in Weirton.
First opened at 3323 Pennsylvania Ave. in 2010, Theo Yianni’s has grown over the years to include additional seating areas and a lounge. That growth will continue at its new location, within the development known as the Village at Colliers Way, with the construction of a 4,500 square feet building, increased seating, additional parking and an expanded menu.
“We’re going to take the next step,” Bourbakis said. “It will solidify our future.”
Mihellis and Bourbakis thanked their employees, family and friends, as well as the Weirton community for all of their support during the last five years, and providing the foundation for them to find success.
“You are how we got to this step,” Mihellis said.
Theo Yianni’s currently employs 20 area residents, with plans to add 15 to 20 more as part of the relocation to the new site. The restaurant’s current location will remain open throughout the construction period, which is expected to be completed in either late summer or early fall.
Among those on hand for Wednesday’s groundbreaking was Mayor Harold Miller and City Manager Travis Blosser, City Judge Dean Makricostas, Weirton Area Chamber of Commerce President Brenda Mull, Business Development Corp. Executive Director Pat Ford, and Mike Check of Altair Development and Billy Pryor of Billy Pryor and Sons.
The Rev. Frank Milanese, of All Saints Greek Orthodox Church, also was on hand to provide a blessing to the building’s foundation.
Altair Development is financing the construction, and Billy Pryor and Sons is serving as the contractor. Chek explained Pryor has been involved with all but one of the business projects at the Village, which has seen the addition of several other businesses in the last few years. He said Theo Yianni’s will be a great fit for the area.
“There’s no full-service restaurant out here,” Chek said, noting he has been on the lookout for such an establishment for some time.
Pryor said while the winter weather is a concern for the project, they are on a good pace for the construction.
(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com and followed via Twitter @CHowellWDT.)