Owner of Tom's Dies

nothinlikeabklyngirl

According to DNA Info, Gus Vlahavas, longtime owner of Tom's, died yesterday: http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20141105/prospect-heights/gus-vlahavas-founder-of-toms-restaurant-prospect-heights-dies

He's been a fixture in the neighborhood for decades; my condolences to his family.

whynot_31

Indeed.   I can only imagine how many hours he put in to make that place the establishment it is... 

pragmaticguy

He's survived by his mother. Wonder how old mom is.

mishaps

She is a very nice woman who still occasionally works the cash register at the diner; I can't imagine how hard it would be to lose a child, even at her age.

Tom's was still open today; the tradition continues. But I'll miss even hoping I might spot Gus on one of his trips back to town. 

whynot_31

The new operators have just signaled that they are going to make a major change in how Tom's is operated: They have applied for a lic to serve beer, wine and liquor.

Tom's is about to attract a different crowd. Let's jabber about that here:

http://www.brooklynian.com/discussion/45156/a-big-change-for-tom039s-restaurant-a-full-liquor-lic-is-being-sought#Item_1

whynot_31

The block that Tom's is on (Sterling Place between Washington and Underhill Avenues) will be co-named for Gus Vlahavas on Sunday 10/4 at 3pm.

Expect politicians.

Brooklyneya

That's nice.

Has anyone been lately? And significant change?

emilyb

Jeez. I haven't been in there in about 30 years. I used to have lunch there (and an occasional lime rickey) back in the day when I worked at the Brooklyn Museum. And while I wasn't in there all the time, I was enough of a regular that Gus would occasionally hand me a lily-of-the-valley along with my lunch order to-go. What a shame.

whynot_31

Details of block naming:  http://phndc.org/events/co-naming-sterling-place-gus-vlahavas

whynot_31

press:  http://www.bkreader.com/2015/10/beloved-owner-of-toms-diner-gets-street-co-naming/