Gus, owner of Zesto in Triangle City has passed away. News of the passing of Gus Manos began to trickle out in Facebook posts, Friday afternoon. He was 88-years-old.

He was beloved and known for his community involvement and 7 decades at the restaurant. Pete Manos, his son, runs Zesto now. Gus was also a member of the Springdale Town Council for 42 years, before leaving that role a few years ago.

Gus was  inducted into the Greater Columbia Restaurant Association’s Hall of Fame in 2014.

Pete wrote when Gus was inducted: “I am so proud of him and everything he has accomplished over the years. His immigration to the US alone at the age of 12 and not speaking a word of English, his first job at Zesto in Five Points at the age of 13, then buying our restaurant in West Columbia that at the time was no more than an ice cream and hot dog stand. I’m lucky to have him as my business partner and even luckier to have him as my dad.”