George's restaurant in Fayetteville closing: 'Every good thing comes to an end, including us'

For the first time since starting high school 35 years ago, Dino Skenteris won't be working in a restaurant.

After 38 years in business, George's Pasta Gyros NY Subs on Yadkin Road in Fayetteville is closing Saturday.

For Skenteris, 49, who started working at his father's eponymous restaurant when he was 14, the closure is bittersweet.

"In a way, it's going to mean freedom," he said, telling stories of the 70-to-80-hour work weeks that became routine. "But it's also sad."

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Live in Fayetteville long enough and there's a good chance you've dined at a restaurant owned by a member of the Skenteris family, one of the many Greek families who own restaurants in Fayetteville. Dino Skenteris's uncle, Pete, owned the former Haymount (or Hamont) Grill. His brother, also named Pete, owns Lindy's restaurant on Raeford Road. Through blood and marriage, he's tied to Chris's Steakhouse, Zorba's and many others.

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The shop at 6238 Yadkin Road was a Baldino's Subs — another family connection that continues to this day — when George Skenteris first opened in 1983. In 1988, they dropped the Baldino's name, renamed it George's, and added Greek fare like gyros and souvlaki and pasta to the menu of salads and sub sandwiches. The gyro remains the top seller, though Skenteris said the cheesesteak sub and Greek salad aren't too far behind.

Skenteris took over the day-to-day management of the restaurant around 20 years ago, though he was groomed from an early age to eventually take over. He started working part-time while he was in high school and then joined full-time upon graduation. He joked that he talked about going to college, but knew he'd just party for four years and end up back at the restaurant anyway.

The restaurant's proximity to Fort Bragg has always made it a popular spot for military — particularly at lunch. That's why Fort Bragg's switch to reduced, essential-only staffing at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic was a big hit for George's. The restaurant was closed from March 2020 until early July 2020 as a result.

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Skenteris said his father, who came to Fayetteville from Greece in the mid-1960s, is battling health problems and is in the process of selling the property to a neighboring business owner. The exact plans for the building are to be determined, he said.

Talks to sell the property started in earnest about three or four months ago, Skenteris said. Business has yet to fully recover from the pandemic and with food costs high, as well as ongoing product and labor shortages, he decided it was time. With his youngest daughter in high school and two older children pursuing careers outside the restaurant, he gave his father the thumbs up to go forward with the sale.

After so many hours spent inside George's, it's going to be a big change for Skenteris.

“This was my mistress,” he said from his seat in one of the wooden booths at the restaurant. “I was here more than I was at home with my wife.”

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After taking some time to clean out the restaurant, Skenteris said he plans to relax and make up for that time he missed with his family. His daughter, Leah, plays soccer at Village Christian Academy and Skenteris said he looks forward to having time to go to her games this spring.

"I did this for 35 years," he said. "I need to take care of myself a little bit."

He'll miss the customers — the military members who have supported George's for decades, the customers who started coming as children and now bring their children in for lunch or dinner.

"Every good thing comes to an end, including us," Skenteris said.

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Jacob Pucci writes on food, restaurants and business. Contact him by email at jpucci@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter at @jacobpucci or on Facebook. Like talking food? Join our Fayetteville Foodies Facebook group.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: George's Pasta Gyros NY subs restaurant in Fayetteville closing