Olga Loizon is the founder of Olga's Kitchen, a Southeast Michigan restaurant chain known for its Mediterranean-style sandwiches wrapped in … Olga's Kitchen, a longtime Southeast Michigan staple known for its Mediterranean-style sandwiches wrapped in "Olga" pita bread, got its start in Loizon's Birmingham driveway in 1965. Loizon kept an active presence in her restaurants, approving menu items and visiting various Olga's Kitchens several times a week. When she approached the Continental Market in Birmingham about leasing space for her first shop, the market owner’s secretary said it was a terrible idea, that no one would buy that type of food. 1155 Gratiot Avenue Bill was worried that we wouldn't make it (the rent). Loizon is survived by her husband, John Loizon, three children, Emily Kontos, Bill Loizon and Ernest Loizon and two grandchildren, Angelo Kontos and Katina Kontos. Olga Loizon, founder of Olga’s Kitchen. Is Malliotakis the Anti-AOC Republicans Needed in New York? Loizon said, as reported by Hometown Life, “The family stood behind me. DETROIT – Greek-American Olga Loizon, the founder of Olga’s Kitchen, has passed away at age 92. The daughter of Greek immigrants, Loizon began experimenting with a bread recipe at home in the 1960s and sold her first sandwiches at an art fair in downtown Birmingham in 1967, setting up the equipment to make them in her driveway, making $13 that first day. Olga Loizon started the sandwich chain from her driveway in Birmingham. Who could resist the lamb and beef, seasoned with Greek spices, with the added bonus of that tangy “Olgasauce,” as she dubbed it? Follow. © 2020 The Detroit News, a Digital First Media Newspaper. 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A daily summary of stories delivered Monday–Friday afternoon. A decade later, it was a beloved Metro Detroit icon that spread across the U.S. with 56 Mediterranean-style restaurants from Maryland to California. "The Olgas are without a doubt the most exciting idea in eating the sandwich," read one 1970s advertisement. Yet the restaurant chain never really caught on out of state. The Birmingham resident died Monday at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, a restaurant spokesperson said. Loizon, a Detroit native, started the business in Birmingham and, after selling her ownership stake in the mid-1970s, continued to have roles in the growing enterprise and made regular appearances at Olga's Kitchen restaurants well into her twilight years, greeting customers and taste-testing dishes in her namesake kitchens. The second-born daughter of Greek immigrant parents, she learned early on to always be in pursuit of her dreams. The idea to open the restaurant was born in Greece where Loizon and her three children, ages 12, 14, and 18 at the time, were on vacation visiting relatives and enjoying the local favorites including souvlaki and gyro. The chain struggled outside Metro Detroit and 26 restaurants remain today, all but one in Michigan, said the company. The family posted on Facebook, “On behalf of Olga’s Kitchen and the Loizon family, thank you for your outpouring of support as we celebrate Olga Loizon’s life. Olga’s Kitchen is an American chain of Greek-American family restaurants located primarily in the Midwestern United States, named after the founder, Olga Loizon (1926–2019). Loizon, over time, overcame a series of obstacles and became the first woman to secure a business loan from her local bank. Olga Loizon, founder of Olga’s Kitchen Well-known Detroit denizen and proud Greek-American, Olga Loizon, has died at age 92. I want to take it to the states.’ I was talking Greek to the guy at the counter. The company downsized in the 1990s and refocused on its home market in Michigan. It was in 1976. DETROIT – Greek-American Olga Loizon, the founder of Olga’s Kitchen, has passed away at age 92. Her husband, John, a successful architect, was opposed to the idea, arguing against it until late in the night, said relatives. There were franchise locations as far away as New York City, Clearwater, Florida and Austin, Texas! "While she will be dearly missed, her legacy will forever live on with Olga's kitchen," said Schostak. She made regular appearances as late as last year. Many know the story of Olga’s, how Loizon first opened in a tiny kitchen in Birmingham in 1970. Word spread about Loizon's unique sandwiches and Olga's shop developed a cult following, attracting lines of customers. She ended up creating an … “I turned and looked at her and said, ‘I don’t know who you are, and right now I don’t care who you are, I’m going to be a success,” she said. 200C, Livonia, MI 48152. With a Crain’s Detroit Subscription you get exclusive access, insights and experiences to help you succeed in business. "I had to make it at home and drive it in. Write CSS OR LESS and hit save. That’s the story of Olga’s Kitchen and its founder, Olga Loizon, an immigrant’s daughter whose feats as a female entrepreneur were years ahead of her time. The Olga’s Kitchen odyssey began in the mid-1960’s, when founder, Olga Loizon returned to the Mediterranean to visit her family. It all started when the Greek-American woman was visiting Greece in the 1960’s. “While she will be dearly missed, her legacy will forever live on with Olga’s Kitchen, and we will proudly continue her vision of delighting guests for decades to come in her honor.”. The iconic restaurateur, best known for her signature Original Olga at her namesake restaurant, created the concept for Olga’s Kitchen following a trip to Greece. Olga's Kitchen was bought out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy in late 2015 by TEAM Schostak Family Restaurants, and regained its financial footing. In time, Olga's Kitchen achieved a level of affinity comparable to other beloved metro Detroit brands such as Vernors, Faygo, Sanders and Better Made. 200C, Livonia, MI 48152. DETROIT – Olga’s Kitchen announced Monday that its founder and Detroit native Olga Loizon died this afternoon surrounded by family. 200C, Livonia, MI 48152, or made in person at any Olga's Kitchen restaurant. It would grow into a popular restaurant chain known as Olga’s Kitchen, and would be frequented by generations of metro Detroiters. Olga's Kitchen was founded by Olga Loizon, who opened her first restaurant, Olga's Souvlaki, in 1970. She was 92. Olga's Kitchen founder Olga Loizon dies at 92. In 1975, Loizon sold the Olga's concept to a group of private investors. Olga Loizon, who founded Olga's Kitchen restaurants in Birmingham, died Monday at age 92, according to a statement from Team Schostak Family Restaurants, which now owns the chain. How did you like my Olga bread?,' " Gianino recalled. Photo courtesy of the family. The first Olga’s Kitchen, just 11 by 14 feet, opened in the Continental Market as a shared space with a meat market, produce market, jewelry store and other businesses as well, Hometown Life reported. The founder and namesake of Michigan’s iconic Olga’s … But the best stories were about the eatery’s origin in 1970. She found souvlaki to be an inspiration, and paid $300 for a vertical broiler to be shipped to Michigan just so she could perfect her craft — the original Olga’s sandwich! Olga Loizon, who founded Olga's Kitchen restaurants in Birmingham, died Monday at age 92, according to a statement from Team Schostak Family Restaurants, which now owns the chain. The idea to open the restaurant was born in Greece where Loizon and her three children, ages 12, 14, and 18 at the time, were on vacation visiting relatives and enjoying the local favorites including souvlaki and gyro. “Our beloved mother and grandmother lived a long, happy and successful life that has always amazed and inspired each one of us. He says he's not doing it and he's not giving me a dime (for the business).”. “She loved her family beyond measure. She ended up creating … As of January 2019 , there were twenty-seven restaurants: twenty-six in Michigan, and one in Illinois. Yes, I would like to stay informed about new newsletters, editorial content, research reports, data products, white papers and surveys.
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