Downtown London is losing its Mascot but gaining a bigger Music Hall.

After almost half a century, the Mascot Restaurant is shutting down on Sept. 30 with the retirement of co-owner Peter Vergiris.

The restaurant opened in 1965 but Vergiris and his brother Theodoros and Elias took it over in 1971

The building will not stay empty for long. The property has been bought by Mike Manuel who operates the London Music Hall.

Manuel said he bought the building for an expansion of his successful concert venue business.

“There’s no immediate plans right now . . . it’s still on the drawing board,” said Manuel.

Downtown regulars will mourn the passing of landmark diner that attracted a loyal clientele, including Manuel. with friendly service and comfort food.

Vergiris emigrated to London from Greece in 1967. He worked at Wellington Square (now Citi Plaza) and the Holiday Inn before opening the Mascot.

Vergiris, who still works 10-14 hours a day, says he is looking forward to retirment but has mixed emotions about shutting down the Mascot. He said the downtown has been changed dramatically because of competitions from malls and big box stores but the restaurant has been sustained by loyal customers.

“Over the years they have become more like friends than customers” said Vergiris.

There’s been a restaurant at 172 Dundas since 1906, when Nick and Peter Hrisikos opened London’s first Greek diner, the Alexandra Cafe. Between 1925 and 1965, it was the site of the London Home Dairy. In 1965, under Peter Mitsis, it became the Mascot Restaurant

Opened in 2006, the nearby London Music Hall underwent an extensive $1.5 million renovation last year, to create a 17,000 sq. ft venue with a capacity to about 2,000.

Manuel said the building that housed the Mascot offers a good opportunity to expand the Music Hall.

“It’s a much smaller space but it ties into it. In the next two-three months we will have our plans.”

hank.daniszewski@sunmedia.ca

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