Loyal customers of Anthony’s are contributing funds to keep the restaurant afloat

Like so many businesses during the COVID pandemic, Anthony’s Restaurant on Annandale Road is struggling to survive. 

“It’s been a very difficult year. Business has declined tremendously,” says Ted Yiannarakis, the son of owners Anthony and Faye Yiannarakis, who founded the Italian/Greek restaurant nearly 50 years ago.

“We have some wonderful customers who are very loyal,” Ted says. “We’re very grateful for the support.”

Longtime diners Nancy and Larry Harrison started a GoFundMe campaign to seek donations from the community to keep Anthony’s afloat. 

Anthony’s Restaurant “is a family favorite,” Nancy Harrison writes on the GoFundMe page. “Our kids, and now grandkids, love the pizza, pasta, and submarine sandwiches. We took every friend and relative that came to town to visit Anthony and his family.”

Nancy was Ted’s second-grade teacher at Saint James Catholic School in Falls Church. “Nancy and Larry are very good customers,” Ted says. “We’re humbled by the support.”

Anthony’s opened in the City of Falls Church in 1972 and moved to its current location in the Falls Church area of Mason District in 2014. 

In addition to the economic struggles caused by the pandemic, both Ted’s mother and father had serious health issues this year; they didn’t have COVID though and are back at work at Anthony’s. The couple, who immigrated from a small village in Greece, “are two of the hardest-working people in Virginia,” he says. 

Related story: Anthony’s Restaurant reopens on Annandale Road

Even in the best of times, “running a restaurant is extremely difficult,” Ted says. “Restaurants are very high maintenance and require large capital expenditures.” When the pandemic hit, demand has gone way down. “We’re trying everything we possibly can to stay open.” 

A federal Payroll Protection Program loan provided some temporary relief to keep staff employed and cover rent and utility bills. 

“So many people in the community are suffering now,” he says. “Hopefully, with the vaccine, things will start getting better.”