Gus Vlahavas of Tom's Restaurant – Retirement & Going Away Celebration

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
May 18, 2011
Contact Amyre Loomis at (718) 260-9191, (646) 201-8183
THIS SATURDAY: PLEASE JOIN RELATIVES; NEIGHBORS; FRIENDS; LOCAL LEADERS; BROOKLYN BOROUGH PRESIDENT MARTY MARKOWITZ; NYC COUNCIL MEMBER LETITIA JAMES; BROOKLYN STEPPERS MARCHING BAND; NOEL POINTER FOUNDATION(CHILDREN MUSICIANS); AND THE COMMUNITY TO HONOR GUS VLAHAVAS OWNER OF TOM’S RESTAURANT ON HIS RETIREMENT – MAY 21 AT 10:30AM - CORNER OF WASHINGTON AVENUE AND STERLING PLACE
Facts: Constantine (Gus) Vlahavas …is 72 years old, and married to Nonie Vlahavas. The son of Stella and Tom, the family lives on Sterling Place adjacent to their business Tom’s Restaurant. Gus is a neighborhood legend (as is Tom’s Restaurant), as well as a dedicated member of two church choirs.
The Restaurant: Tom’s is located at 782 Washington Avenue on the corner of Sterling Place. It was started in 1936 as Lewnes, an ice cream parlor, and taken over by Vlahavas family during the 1940s. The restaurant soon evolved into a luncheonette and was renamed Tom’s in 1945 when Gus’ father, Tom came home safely from Philippines in WWII.
The Feel and Décor: The enue is quintessential Americana style with Coca Cola signs and stained -glass windows. Also, during the 1968 Crown Heights riots both black and white customers protected the restaurant from looters, who destroyed other businesses in their neighborhood. FYI - Tom’s restaurant is not the inspiration of Suzanne Vega’s “Tom’s Diner” song, but IS the inspiration for the Greek diner in Jeffrey Eugenides’ novel Middlesex. Also, Tom’s is known for Lime Rickey and Perfect Egg Cream, along with its Belgian Waffle Sundae.
Who: Fans and Friends of Gus Vlahavas
What: Celebration and ceremony for Gus’ retirement and move to Colorado
When: Saturday, May 21, beginning at 10:30am (ceremony at 11am, party until 1:30pm)
Where: 782 Washington Avenue (corner of Sterling Place) in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn, (718) 636-9738; Transit - 2, 3, 4 trains to Eastern Parkway - Brooklyn Museum (0.2 mi S)