They found the American dream in a Bradenton restaurant. Now Greek couple win big award
An immigrant couple, who started with little more than a dream and a willingness to work hard, share this year’s Manatee County Distinguished Citizen Award.
Kallipoi “Popi” Ameres and her husband Emmanuel “Manny” Ameres, founders of the Popi’s restaurant chain in the Bradenton-Sarasota area, received the award Thursday afternoon at the annual Manatee River Fair Association VIP luncheon.
There are now five Popi’s Place restaurants scattered from near SeaPort Manatee in the north to Ellenton, Palmetto, Bradenton and Sarasota in the south.
But it was the couple’s generous philanthropy and support of the Bradenton community that won them recognition.
“Emmanuel and Popi have always had a heart for people, especially for the community that gave them a chance to have the American dream. Because they love Manatee and Sarasota counties so much, they always have the heart to give back to those who supported them for so many years,” the award recommendation said.
Among those who have benefited from their benevolence are many law enforcement, youth, church, health care, and nonprofit groups.
Popi and Manny attended the awards ceremony, thinking that it was to honor their brother-in-law, Ron Witt.
Otherwise, they would have been at work at one of their restaurants greeting customers, said their daughter-in-law, Sarah Ameres.
“We had to tell a little fib to get them here today,” Sarah said.
“They are the most humble people we know. They are the epitome of the American dream. They are immigrants who worked from the bottom to where they are now,” Sarah said.
Popi and Manny were sitting at the back of Veterans Hall at the fairgrounds, when the awards were announced.
Popi broke into tears when she realized that she and Manny were being honored.
“I am proud to be in Manatee County. I love all the people here, this is my life,” she said.
Manny echoed those words: “We love Manatee County. We love the people. Thank you. Happy New Year everybody!”
Where it started
Manny, 74, was born in 1948 on the island of Karpathos, Greece. Popi, 68, was born on the island of Leros, Greece.
The two met while still teenagers. Manny left Greece in 1969 to come to America in search of greater opportunity. A year later, he returned to Greece to marry Popi.
The newlyweds then moved to the United States, working at a Brown Derby Restaurant in Cleveland, Ohio. In the early 1970s, Brown Derby sent the couple to manage and run the kitchen of their restaurant in the St. Petersburg area.
Subsequently, they ran Brown Derby restaurants in Bradenton and Sarasota, before venturing out to open their own restaurant in the mid-1970s, The Grapevines. They also opened The Moorings, The Seven Seas and Old Town Cafe, before opening the first Popi’s Place Family Restaurant in 1986.
Today, they have three family-run locations and two franchised locations and a successful catering business.
“Popi also fulfilled her passion to bottle her homemade Greek dressing, which is now for sale in select grocery stores and wholesale at Sysco,” the award nomination said.
“Emmanuel and Popi still continue to work every day at their Ellenton location. The love for their community, and their customers keeps growing. All of their children, and their children’s spouses work for the family business, where they enjoy being grandparents to eight grandchildren,’ the nomination said.
A crowd of more than 160 watched the Distinguished Citizen Awards, which have been presented annually since 1956.
Recipients have their footprints placed in concrete on the sidewalk in front of the Manatee County Courthouse in downtown Bradenton.
The award is one of the highlights leading up to the opening of the fair, which this year is scheduled Jan. 12-22.
