From the Editors
Posted by estiator at 6 December, at 13 : 46 PM Print
’Tis the Season
Coronavirus fatigue may be tempering the jolly in all of us this season, but this too shall pass. Christmas, let’s remember, is not about the here and now, but, rather, about that which is eternal. And so, we hope this issue’s themes of giving, responsibility, community, and optimism are ones that inspire you this season, as business owners, as managers, and as custodians of God’s creation.
Throughout the pandemic, stories of individuals giving back to the community have been bright spots in news cycles that have otherwise been overwhelmingly gloomy. This month, Estiator’s Constantine Kolitsas looks at a handful of Greek-American restaurant owners who have found ways to give back, even as their own businesses were in precarious economic positions, in “A Time to Give.”
In “Drink and Drive,” Kolitsas explores the new trend in boozeless cocktails that is at the core of the “responsible living” movement among millennials, which eschews food additives, toxins, and alcohol.
Contributor Michael Kaminer discovers a community of Greek-American restaurant owners in Alabama, some of whose restaurant roots go back as far as 1907. In “Kalos Irthate, Y’all,” his conversations with three of those restaurateurs reveal how they have been ingrained in the state’s local communities, the secrets behind their longevity, and how they have navigated the recent existential challenges.
Finally, “Great wealth and success comes from down markets,” New York restaurateur Stratis Morfogen tells Kaminer in “Stratis Morfogen Has Big Plans.” “There’s been no better time in decades to take action.” Optimism, vision, and confidence are what is driving the owner of Brooklyn Chop House to make bold moves in unprecedented times.
This season is going to look very different from Christmases past, but one thing is constant: our warmest wishes to all of our readers for a Merry Christmas and a blessed, healthy, and more prosperous New Year!
The Editorial & Publishing Staff
