Apollo owner a case study for success

For Toula Sakellaris, the best part about owning the Apollo Restaurant in Sudbury is interacting with the people who enter its doors ever day.

And in 45 years of business, Sakellaris has met a lot of people, many of whom have celebrated major life milestones in the restaurant, known especially for its Greek cuisine.

“Yesterday there was a couple here celebrating 44 years,” Sakellaris said. “And they've been coming here all along.”

Sakellaris was recently featured in a book called “Profiles in Entrepreneurship: North American Models of Innovation, Creativity, and Entrepreneurship.”

Patricia Orozco, a professor in Laurentian University's faculty of management, wrote a chapter dedicated to Sakellaris' success as an entrepreneur in an industry that has evolved constantly over her 45-year career.

Sakellaris said the restaurant business in Sudbury is more challenging today than it was when she and her late husband, George, founded the Apollo in 1970.

There is more competition today, from national chains and local restaurants that tap into a greater variety of flavours and culinary traditions than in the past.

For new restaurant owners, said Sakellaris, a strong work ethic and a willingness to do any job necessary are musts.

Even today, she said she would never ask one of her employees to do any job she wouldn't do herself – and that includes lifting heavy cases of beer if necessary.

Mary Tarabalka worked at the Apollo for 30 years, and said she considers Sakellaris her best friend. “She gives you the opportunity to grow at your own speed,” she said.

In addition to supporting her employees' personal growth, Sakellaris has also dedicated much of her time to the community's growth.

She is a strong supporter of the Greek Festival in Sudbury, and served on many boards, including that of the Business and Professional Women's Association and the Greater Sudbury Police Services Board.

That dedication to the community has come with many recognitions, including the Sudbury Food Bank's Hubby Award, in honour of Hubert Bray, a Sudbury lawyer and former president of the food bank, and the Rotary Club of Sudbury Sunrisers' 2014 Paul Harris Award, for service above self.

But Sakellaris said she doesn't volunteer her time for the various honours, but does it because she enjoys giving back to the community.