Celebrating 40 years in Chatham and 60th anniversary. L-R Tom Paraskevopoulos, Gina Paraskevopoulos, Mayor Darrin Caniff. Please note, this photo is from the municipal archive and was taken in February 2020.
Smitty’s Restaurant in Chatham is proud to announce the celebration of 40 years of business in Chatham-Kent and 60 years in business as a company and restaurant chain.
Smitty’s in Chatham is a family owned and operated business that began in 1980. Originating as a pancake house, it slowly changed into a family restaurant over the years adding more lunch, dinner, and kids options to the menu.
“Forty years is a significant milestone, and even though they had to take a break this year because of COVID, it’s great to see that they have re-opened their doors,” said Darrin Canniff, Mayor of Chatham-Kent. “I wish them another 40 plus years of success in Chatham-Kent.”
Smitty’s expanded their services and offerings in 1981 with The Pine Room to accommodate more seating for guests. Five years later they expanded again with the Aristo’s Banquet Hall, which caters to a wide range of events including weddings business meetings, funerals, and showers for up to 200 people.
To round out their full-service options, they then added onsite and offsite catering for groups of up to 1500 people. During this time of change, the patriarch of the Paraskevopoulos family retired, while his wife Gina and son Tom, along with close family, took over the business. More recently Tom’s children, Shelby, Jorja, and Nick, have joined the family business and keep the engines running.
“Being in the restaurant business, especially in a family-focused community like Chatham-Kent, means that we are focused on making sure that we are offering the right mix of service, food, and atmosphere for everyone,” said Tom Paraskevopoulos, Owner. “Being able to adapt and change with the times to meet people’s needs has been so important. We have added new meal options, services, and have even joined Instagram to meet people where they are looking. After all, it’s about our customers.”
Looking back over their longer history, Smitty’s was first introduced in 1960 as a Canadian restaurant favourite for families and quickly expanded from there. Smitty’s has always met the customers’ needs – from the first patrons in the 60’s, to their children and grandchildren throughout the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s and into this new millennium.
For the 60th anniversary, they have an exclusive new menu that includes lighter choices, beyond the meat options, and their famous weekend brunch.
“From our regulars to our new customers, we greet everyone who comes through the doors with a smile and a delicious meal, which is why they have kept coming back and given us the privilege of being a part of the community,” said Tom.
Smitty’s Restaurant in Chatham is located at 307 Grand Avenue West and is open seven days a week until 8:00 pm each night. Visit them online at www.smittysrestaurant.ca
