This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Business & Tech

A Local Eatery to Expand, and a New Bank Opens

Tastes of Greece owners decide to take more space and OpusBank opens a local branch.

Opa!

Mom and pop restaurant favorite is expanding and remodeling, and a new bank takes up residence in Laguna Niguel in this week's L.N. Biz Briefs.

More Space

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.

Tastes of Greece, owned by couple Elizabeth and Gianni Gaitanis, has been in the community for more than two years. It has become one of the most beloved eateries in the city thanks to the love and care the owners put into their food -- as well as their dedication to the community. Last summer, but when they arrived the next morning, everything was still in its place.

These days the couple have decided to revamp and expand Tastes of Greece, at 30012 Crown Valley Parkway. On March 13, the city approved their request to expand the existing restaurant into the adjacent 769-square-foot vacant commercial suite, formerly a florist shop, in Suite H, and create a 87-square-foot outdoor dining patio in front of Suite H. 

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.

"We are literally going to expand by knocking the wall down," said Elizabeth Gaitanis. "Some remodeling will be required to meet restaurant specifications which should begin by April 1."

She said while the renovations will remain simple in design, there will be more seating and additional restrooms.  

"We plan to continue sharing our experience and knowledge of Greece in order to offer customers a fun time, a delicious meal while hearing and understanding more about this ancient traditional culture," she said.

And even though the economy is slow, she said expansion has always been on their minds.

"The opportunity to knock the wall down was presented to us about three months ago, and, with the encouragement of my father, we started turning my wish into reality. After we decided to take the step and fulfill the dream. He kept on telling me 'go to work, you owe it to your customers,' " she said.

She estimates the project will be completed by the end of April.

"Since the announcement of our expansion, the enthusiasm and excitement shown by our friends and customers has given us the assurance required to take this big step. The ideas and suggestions from all informed are welcome, therefore making this an easier and fun experience," Gaitanis said.

With the opening of the new space, the owners hope to add "an enjoyable and unique place for the community to enjoy a healthy, home-cooked meal."

"From the diverse Greek cuisine along with the hospitality of any Greek establishment or home, we want our customers to feel as if they've been to Greece and back, but right here in Laguna Niguel."

In addition, there will be light entertainment Friday and Saturday nights, she said.

New Place to Bank

On Monday, March 26, OpusBank opened a new location at 24050 Aliso Creek Road at the intersection of Aliso Creek Road and La Paz Road. It is in the Aliso Creek Center, the same shopping plaza where the new opening by early summer. 

Construction began at the site, a former real estate office earlier this year. The new bank branches are part of a company strategy to expand the bank's offices throughout metropolitan California and Washington.

“As one of the best capitalized banks in the Western region, we are continuing to strategically expand our network of banking offices in the major metropolitan areas up and down the West Coast,” said Stephen H. Gordon, chairman, CEO and president of Opus Bank. 

According to its website, the bank's goal is "to identify and accelerate the finest work of our communities' business leaders -- those who have turned the economic corner, proven their ability, and now need a partner for growth. This infusion of capital for small and mid-sized businesses, entrepreneurs, and real estate investors will help rebuild our local economies from the ground up."

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?