Owner of Tom's Dies

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.

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

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

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. 

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

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.

That's nice.

Has anyone been lately? And significant change?

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.

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

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