Brooke Jackson-Glidden

Statesman Journal

Many restaurants in rural Greece consist of a two-person team: A husband and wife preparing salads, slow-roasted meats and stuffed grape leaves dripping in olive oil. No one else works in the kitchen or front of house, save a child or family member. The service is slow, everything is fresh, and the restaurant is about family more than anything else.

For more than 20 years, the owners of Macedonia Greek Cuisine in Salem have followed this model, rarely hiring employees, making dishes fresh to order. Customers would arrive at the entrance of the Reed Opera House, find a table near the walls adorned with painted grapevines, and the owners would come out and chat with regulars like old friends — which in many cases, they were.

On Feb. 28, Macedonia owners George Doughly and Nahla Armouch will say goodbye. The couple has sold the restaurant space to Yuriy Chira, who will remodel and open a casual steakhouse.

Macedonia is one of the only traditional Greek tavernas in Salem. The restaurant opened in 1995 on the second floor of the Reed Opera House, celebrating its 20th anniversary two years ago.

"They're our longest running tenants, currently," says Reed Opera House owner Roger Yost. "We've watched their family grow up, their children. I love Greek food, and they're the only Greek restaurant within miles."

Chira's Restaurant & Catering will open in the former Macedonia space in April. Chira, an Orupa and Willamette Valley Grill alum , plans to focus on European-inspired Oregonian food, including locally sourced steaks and seafood.

"I've always dreamt of owning my own restaurant in Salem," Chira says. "I want to be a trusted chef in town. When they think of Chira’s restaurant, they know they’re going to get a great meal, great service, and an awesome drink."

Doughly and Armouch plan to focus on family, with no intentions of opening another restaurant.

"I want to focus on my son," Doughly says. "I want to go to his activities. Family is more important; life is so important."

Doughly and Armouch grew up together in Syria, where Doughly's grandfather was a Greek missionary. Newly married, Doughly and Armouch moved to the United States in the '80s, where he went to college. After struggling to find work, the two decided to open a restaurant.

"You struggle, you don’t make much money, but it’s fun," Doughley says. "We like people. Our friends and family come, and our regulars. That’s the beauty of a restaurant, you know?"

Macedonia Greek Cuisine is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for lunch and 5 to 9 p.m. for dinner Mondays-Saturdays. The restaurant is located on the second floor of the Reed Opera House at 189 Liberty St.

More restaurant news:

Urban Alley closes permanently

Dolce Mama's small-batch ice cream opens in the Reed Opera House

Mexican bistro brings house-made guacamole, salsa to Broadway

Email Brooke Jackson-Glidden brookejg@statesmanjournal.com or call 503-428-3528. Follow her on Twitter @jacksonglidden, or like her Facebook page www.facebook.com/BrookeJackson-Glidden.