Councilmember Peter F. Vallone Jr. and state Assemblywoman Aravella Simotas joined community leaders, restaurant owners and many well wishers at the grand opening of the Pan Gregorian Enterprises - Metro New York and Long Island office building (28-18 Steinway St., Astoria). The new base will allow the corporation to better execute its mission and provide for the necessary, state of the art facilities that its expanded activities require.
The Pan Gregorian Enterprises of Metro New York and Long Island, Inc. is a corporation of restaurateurs established in 1988 and licensed by Pan Gregorian Enterprises of New Jersey. Its primary mission is to leverage the buying power of its stockholders and members, as well as to negotiate valuable contracts that offer considerable savings and rebates to the participating restaurants. The corporation has also established the Pan Gregorian Fund, a non-for-profit entity with a mission to advance, support and promote the Greek American education system, the Greek language and academic excellence. Last year, an essay competition open to middle and high school students who are on good academic standing was established. Eugene Sarantis and Dimitris Perdikogiannis were the first winners, receiving an award accompanied with a check at the inauguration of the new building. According to Pangregorian President Dimitris Kafshitsas, “the competition aims to promote the entrepreneurial spirit within the youth and help spearhead further achievements in the hospitality industry.”
During the inauguration, a Lifetime Scholarship for the Hellenic children living in the remote Aegean Sea islands which the “OMADA AIGAIOU” supports with humanitarian and medical services, was announced as well as a three year sponsorship to the Center for Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies of Queens College, New York. They also made a donation to the 2011 Greek Parade in support of the “Dance Exhibition Pre-Parade Event”.
Anastasios Manessis, Chairman Emeritus of Pan Gregorian Enterprises Metro NY & LI, a veteran restaurateur and political activist, offered welcoming remarks followed by Dimitris Kafshitsas, the corporation president.
For more information on Pan Gregorian and its activities, those interested may contact Chrysoula Fiotodimitrakis, Director of Operations, at (718) 728-6000.
