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Start of 03 The Hellenic Community of Saskatoon:
"A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all other virtues." Cicero |
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The inherent desire of every human being for an improvement in economic and social status was surely the primary reason for the Hellenic emigration to North America over 150 years ago. In 1851 the first Greek of whom we know came to Canada. He was George Nikolas Kapiotis, born in Kyme on the island of Euboea in 1823. |
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A map of Greece and Asia Minor showing the family names of Hellenic immigrants to Saskatoon and their town of origin. 1980 (?) Greece and Asia Minor
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Despite this early immigration, there were few Greeks in Saskatoon at the turn of the century. Most were single men who had served in the Greek military and were largely uneducated. Although initially these young men intended to work for several years and then return home, some gradually formed partnerships and eventually started businesses, usually cafes. As more immigrants arrived, they were absorbed into these businesses.
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Other members of the Barootes family in 1922 in Athens. Sponsored by members of their family who had emigrated earlier, they arrived in Canada between 1922 and 1926. 1922 Athens, Greece
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Hellenic Immigrants retained strong ties to Greece and to their families there. However, many established roots in Canada through business and marriage. Among these early families were some members of the Barootes family, who came to Winnipeg in 1913 and later moved to Saskatoon.
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The Gardener Family.
Back row from the left: Ted. H.; Theo; Ted B.
Front row: Effie; Pearl; Joe
1930 (?)
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The Gardener family emigrated to Saskatoon at the same time as the Barootes family.
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Two of Saskatoon's early Greek immigrants in later years.
Chitsas, George (left) and Pelehos, Tony (right)
1940 (?) Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
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These new immigrants maintained a close feeling of community and continued to communicate in their native Greek language. Although many began in the restaurant business as cooks and dishwashers, because of their limited resources, lack of schooling and poor command of English, their experiences provided them with the training to start their own businesses later.
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Pelehos, Tony, with his popcorn stand. 1940 The corner of 2nd Ave. and 21st St., Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
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One early enterprising Greek immigrant was Tony Pelehos who operated a popcorn stand on the corner of 2nd Avenue and 21st Street for many years.
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Kazakos, Basil and Barootes, Chris, in the Patricia Café. 1921 (?) Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
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Most Greek restaurants were family businesses. The first Greek-owned restaurant in Saskatoon was the Patricia, opened in 1920 by Basil Barootes, who was later joined in the business by his three brothers.
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Left to right: Girgulis, Jim, Sam and Bill. 1967 (?) Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
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Girgulis, Bill. He was nicknamed 'Million Dollar Bill' because whenever he was asked how he was, he would answer, 'Like a million dollars.' 1926 Elite Café, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
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Several families opened restaurants on 2nd avenue. Bill and Jim Girgulis, along with other partners, opened the Elite café. When the other partners dropped out, Bill and Jim, together with their brother Sammy, became controlling partners in the restaurant.
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The Management and staff of the Elite Café c. 1925 after WWI. Photo courtesy of the Saskatoon Public Library, Local History Room. 1925 (?) Elite Café, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
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After the outbreak of the Balkan war in 1912 and in 1919 of WWI, many young men left Saskatoon to enlist. Among these was the staff of the Elite.
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The Royal Confectionary was opened by Golf, William A., in 1917 on 20th Street E. 12 October 1912 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
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The entire staff of the Royal Confectionary, with the exception of owner William Golf, left with the first group of men to the Balkans. Mr. Golf went 6 weeks later, once he found someone to manage his restaurant. Although Saskatoon lost many of its original Greek community to these wars, it also experienced an influx of new Greek immigrants. Scores of displaced families in Greece and Asia Minor emigrated to Canada after the wars as refugees and some settled in Edmonton, Calgary and Saskatoon.
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Karabelis, George and Magdalene in front of the Commerical Café in 1929. 1929 20th St., Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
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Many new Greek enterprises sprang up in Saskatoon. The Commercial Café was opened on 20th Street by George Karabelis and George Chitsas.
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Leakos, Steve, operated the Commodore Café first on 21st Street, later moving it to 2nd Avenue. 1941 (?) Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
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Established local Greek restaurant owners were not concerned with competition from other Greek immigrants entering into the restaurant business. Their spirit of support and cooperation, arising from the close ties which existed within the Greek community, encouraged fellow Greeks to start new restaurants.
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