Thano’s Lamplighter Restaurant
Thano’s Lamplighter Restaurant. Source: localwiki.org.
Opened in 1967, Thano’s Lamplighter, owned and run by Thanos Masters, served Greek food, pizza, sandwiches, salads, and, soups to a consistent customer base of local businessmen, University of Michigan athletes, Ann Arbor police officers, local Greeks and few film stars (urbanoasis.org). Even the Philadelphia Orchestra, when in town would always make a visit to the restaurant (urbanoasis.org). Some of the most notable customers were ABC news anchor Ted Koppel, actor Jimmy Stewart and the University of Michigan’s basketball coach Steve Fischer (oldnews.aadl.org).
Closed in 2006, the loss of the Lamplighter was felt by many in Ann Arbor and was recorded by the Ann Arbor News and the Ann Arbor Observer. In fact, when I was very young I remember eating there myself and felt as if I was experiencing authentic Greek cuisine in a very Greek atmosphere. I will always remember the flaming saganaki I had that day. Even after the closing and auctioning off of memorabilia from the restaurant Masters still persists that he will not retire (oldnews.aadl.org) and plans to opening a catering business in the future.
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