Iconic Bradenton pizzeria was one family’s American dream. Now, they say goodbye.
Helen Sokos, 83, could not hold back the tears this week when asked about closing Demetrios’ Pizza House.
The restaurant, which Helen opened with her husband, Demetrios, and her sister, Paula Ludera, in 1976, will serve its last pizza Saturday.
Even after Demetrios Sokos passed away in 2014, Helen and Paula Ludera carried on as mainstays in the kitchen.
To them, the restaurant represents the American dream.
It has been a way for the family to support itself, to help the next generation move forward, and to make friends and memories for guests who returned year after year.
Helen said she would not change a thing.
“No, no, I will miss all the people who came to the restaurant. God bless America,” Helen said, pausing from making salads.
Paula, who was deep in dough and tomato sauce, added: “We loved what we did, but now we are tired and ready to retire. We come to work like a family, we live like a family, and that’s most important.”
Gus Sokos, 58, took over management of the restaurant after his father retired. His cousin, Tina Whyte, also works there. Both started when they were 11 or 12.
“We have been incredibly surprised by the reaction since we announced the closing. We didn’t realize the effect that the announcement would have. Our customers have been part of our family for many years,” Whyte said.
Paula and Helen love the business, but the 18-hour days in the kitchen became too much.
“Would they love to run it forever? Absolutely,” Whyte said.
Gus Sokos says he has no regrets about the decision to close.
“I have two daughters and one grand-baby to spend time with. We have put in a lot of hours and missed a lot of events with our kids. I work every Sunday and my wife Lisa was taking the kids to church. I was never there and they asked Lisa if she had a husband. Those are the things that make you reflect,” Gus said.
Prior to the pandemic, about 75% of Demetrios’ business was dining in, and 25% takeout. With the arrival of COVID-19, that percentage flipped with about 75% of the business being takeout, Gus said.
“We were fortunate to be in a business where the food carries well. We did very well during the pandemic, under the circumstances,” he said.
Due to staffing issues, the restaurant had been open only for dinner during the past year. But after closing plans were announced, the family added lunch hours as well to allow guests a final chance to get their favorite menu item.
For the record, the most popular offering is the pepperoni pizza, followed by lasagna and baked shells.
“As long as we have those three things until the last day, we’re OK,” Gus said.
All good things must come to an end, and Demetrios’ will stop taking customers at 6 p.m. Saturday.
Before that last moment, customers have been coming in droves for a last pizza, a last photo, or wondering where they will have a next birthday party.
“It is the greatest feeling, hearing the expressions of appreciation,” Gus said.
Tina Whyte said the family is thankful to Bradenton for its support the past 46 years.
“We are a simple pizza place with no bells or whistles,” Whyte said.
While the restaurant is closing, the family is considering bottling and selling some of its most popular sauces and dressings, which trace their origins to grandmothers and great-grandmothers on the farm back in Greece. Several restaurant operators have expressed interest in leasing the Demetrios’ location.
Demetrios’ has set a high standard. It has been selected favorite pizza place 26 times in newspaper reader preference polls.
The family estimates that during its history, it employed more than 4,000 people, wrote more than 100,000 payroll checks and contributed more than $1.5 million to the community in donations and sponsorships.
Other restaurants with the Demetrios name operate at University Parkway and Tamiami Trail in Sarasota and remain open. They are not operated or owned by members of the Sokos or Ludera families.
