The Olympia Restaurant, a long-standing Greek eatery, has closed its doors after serving the community for over 70 years. The restaurant operators, the Tingas and Cocalis family, announced the closure on social media. They also thanked the community for its support over the years.
Lowell Loses a Staple as The Olympia Restaurant Closes
Established in 1952 by Socrates and Kiki Tingas, along with Peter and Barbara Cocalis, the Olympia Restaurant became a staple in the heart of Lowell. The restaurant initially closed in the fall of 2024, with plans to reopen in early 2025.
According to a recent Facebook post shared by the Tingas and Cocalis families, the restaurant is permanently closed, and they have no specific plans for reopening.
The team behind the restaurant shared, “For more than 70 years, the Olympia Restaurant was not just a restaurant; it was our home.”
The Olympia Restaurant’s team extended a token of gratitude towards its loyal customers and the community for their support.
“From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for allowing our family to serve yours for more than seven decades. We cherish the memories, friendships, and love shared there that will stay with us forever,” said the team behind the restaurant.
Olympia was known for its authentic Greek and Mediterranean cuisine. Some of the popular items on the menu include lamb kebab, Moussaka, and Pasticcio.
Emotional Responses on Social Media
As the team behind the restaurant confirmed the permanent closure, many longtime customers were saddened. Fans and community members shared messages and memories of their time there.
One longtime customer wrote, “We are missing the Olympia so much. Loved the baked lamb garnish and stuffed grape leaves with lemon so much. Been going there since the early sixties. There is no Greek restaurant that could compete with your food.”
“The Olympia will always be a Lowell institution, and it was truly a special place, and you could feel the love and hard work your family poured into it. I miss going there; there’s nothing like it anywhere,” said another customer. “Your parents built something that will always be remembered in Lowell.”
After more than 70 years, the Olympia Restaurant leaves behind lasting memories in the Lowell community. Though its doors are closed, it will always be remembered by the community.
