EuroGyro lining up staff for opening

SALEM --The Istocki family plans to open a ninth EuroGyro location at the corner of State Street and Ellsworth Avenue in the coming weeks, bringing their brand of modern European-American cuisine to historic Salem.

For company president and owner George Istocki, the restaurant business is just a continuation of what his father Aleksandar started in 1979 in Massillon with the first EuroGyro and it's a true family affair. His wife, Mary, oversees the Kent location, daughter Sonya serves as company vice president and daughter Rosie has her own restaurant in Kent called Steak-eez featuring cheese steaks and more.

The family's historical roots stretch to Macedonia, the country just north of Greece, but the history of Salem is something George wants to highlight in this EuroGyro location, with its long wooden bar, fireplaces and wood features. The building constructed in 1860 had been a longtime home for the Salem Sport Shop, but in the early days served as a pharmacy. One dining area will feature some backlit images of familiar buildings around Salem, such as the library and the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce.

The number one attaction, though, will be the food.

"We want to be known for our gyros and pizza," Sonya said, "and wings," George added.

The menu features a wide variety of gyros from the traditional made from lamb meat to chicken and even ham and includes EuroGyro's homemade cucumber sauce, also known as tzatziki sauce. There are also all kinds of pizza for all kinds of tastes, including chicken, Greek, Hawaiian, veggie, meat lovers, jojos and Philly steak, along with red sauce and white sauce pizzas with a choice of 15 toppings. There are pizza pitas, foldovers like calzones and pepperoni rolls, burgers, pasta, chicken dinners, salads, wings and desserts such as homemade Baklava. The list of subs even includes one called "Guy on the Couch."

New to the menu are the bowls. Sonya described them as having potato wedges as the base, then a protein such as chicken or steak and then veggies. There's also a gyro bowl and pizza bowl, meat lovers and cajun gyro. There's also lots of side items.

"I would recommend a first-time customer to buy wings with our signature honeygold sauce and a good old-fashioned gyro," she said.

The restaurant is known for affordable pricing and they definitely want to attract families, with Sonya noting that the selections they offer appeal to any demographic.

George said plans call for a drive-up window where people can pick up their phone-in orders and there's also delivery. The restaurant will open at 10:30 a.m. every day and the phone number will be 330-332-GYRO (4976).

"We want to keep it casual and affordable with a great atmosphere," Sonya said.

Televisions are mounted on the walls and George said they'll be featuring sports. The main entrance at the corner of State and Ellsworth will open to a dining area and the bar, connected to another dining area and carryout area. Another room will be used for overflow and as a party room if someone wants to have a small gathering.

Residents have been following the progress of the building and when the signs went up a couple weeks ago, social media lit up.

"We can't wait to showcase our business to everyone. We appreciate the support and patience," Sonya said. "We realize the whole town has been buzzing about this business and we're excited to open it. The business is in good hands now."

The location will be operated as corporate-owned or owner-operated, with the Istocki family on the premises while they search for a general manager. Signs advertising for workers went up last week and they've been conducting interviews. They're looking for cooks, servers, bartenders, delivery drivers, bus personnel and hostesses, with the expectation to employ 40 to 50 people. Experienced staff members from other locations will help train the new employees.

Applicants can apply in person from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday or online at eurogyro.com, which is where the menu can also be viewed.

Plans call for a soft opening. The exact date for the opening hasn't been determined as they line up workers and finish up last-minute preparations, but they're hoping to welcome customers in the next four to six weeks.

"The whole town has been great to us," Sonya said.

"Small towns are nice," George added.

mgreier@salemnews.net