Gyro House weathers pandemic to celebrate 30 years in Elyria

ELYRIA — When Jimmy Nomikos came to Ohio from Greece in 1973, he had a dream to open his own Greek restaurant. It took some time, but he finally opened the doors in Elyria in March 1991. Now he's spent 30 years operating Jimmy's Gyro House off of West River Road. It's faced the highs and lows of economic crises, a large fire and now a pandemic. Maria Markou, Nomikos' daughter, said they've been able to stay busy during the pandemic. That's partially due to the location near downtown and right by the Elyria Foundry. Markou said the restaurant also has had loyal customers for years. She said people have become like family over the years. There are regulars who pop in multiple times a week, and that has helped business during the pandemic. But when the restaurant first closed last year during the pandemic, Markou said the unknown was scary. Gyro House ended up being closed for two months. After reopening, Markou said they tried anything that worked to keep business despite most of the dining being closed. It's a small restaurant, and only a handful of booths can remain open to customers. But Markou said Elyria has shown its support for the family. Nomikos said most people have the phone number memorized, mostly due to its longevity in the city. The pandemic wasn't the first uncertain situation the family faced. The Gyro House had to close for seven months in late 2005 after a fire caused extensive damage throughout the building. Markou said there were a few moments they weren't sure if they'd be able to reopen, but they ultimately did and kept on going. The restaurant has prided itself on homemade and fresh foods like gyros and baklava. The family hopes to keep the restaurant going, as Nomikos and his wife will both turn 70 this year. Markou said it's hard work and long hours to run a restaurant. But she said the community makes it worth it. "Our home is your home," she said. Nomikos worked several different jobs when he first immigrated to the United States. He was a dishwasher and a busboy and a host, and then worked in a factory. But Markou said he had always wanted to open a little, authentic Greek restaurant. "We make a good living," Nomikos said. "Elyria's been good to us." Contact Laina Yost at (440) 329-7121 or lyost@chroniclet.com.