Gus Manos passed away on Dec. 19. Below is an article (with minor edits) written in June of 2015 for the Lexington County Chronicle. I sat in a booth at Zesto in West Columbia and listened to Gus tell his story. He was captivating to listen to. Gus was engaging, kind, sentimental and most of all authentic. My son, Henry, age 9, was with me. Gus graciously asked us if we wanted anything from his restaurant, on the house. Henry got a two-piece chicken and Gus, with a big smile, handed Henry an ice cream cone for dessert. I have never forgotten the details of that interview with Gus. Neither has Henry.

By Terry Ward – Gus Manos still becomes emotional when he recalls his entry to America.

“I remember the first time I saw the Statue of Liberty,” Manos said as his eyes grew moist and he choked up. It made a lifelong impression on him.

He has been the owner of Zesto of West Columbia since 1961. The restaurant has prospered and expanded several times over the years. He has employed thousands. His business is a monument to success.

Manos has been married to his wife, Sheri, for 49 years. He works with his son, Pete, who is a partner at Zesto. Gus has served on the Springdale Town Council for 40 years, longer than anyone else, ever.

Manos was 11-years-old and practically by himself, on a passenger boat, coming to America from his native Greece. He arrived at New York harbor to be processed through Ellis Island. A literal stranger had signed on to watch Manos on the voyage because that was the only way he would be allowed passage.

After arriving, Manos met for a short time with some cousins in New Jersey he had never seen before that day. They fed him lunch and put him on a train to South Carolina.

“I could not speak one word of English,” said Manos. He was seated between two girls and they spoke to him. “I didn’t know what they were saying,” he said. Eventually the three were able to communicate by drawing pictures.

The train arrived at 4:30 a.m. at the depot in Columbia where the Blue Marlin restaurant is now. Manos was coming to stay with his Uncle Nick Manos. Nick was good to Gus, but that did not always fill the void the young boy had after leaving his native land.

“I would lay in bed sometimes and think I have no father and no mother here,” Manos said, with a look of sadness on his face. At one point he told his uncle he wanted to go back to Greece.

It was after World War II and much of “Europe was in disarray,” Manos said. He said there was a move by Russia to take over Greece. When he was in his homeland, Manos would go to bed with the sound of artillery in the distance.

“My uncle said, boy, you stay here with me for a year, and you will never want to go back,” Manos said. “He was right.”

Manos was enrolled in school three days after he got to Columbia. He was put back one year at Taylor Grammar School. He had no problem with math, but he could not speak English. Manos said he remembers a teacher named Mrs. Brooks who really helped him. She assigned one of the brighter students to help Manos learn the language of his new country. Manos worked hard to learn.

“At night, I’d lay in bed and repeat the words I’d learned that day so I did not forget them,” Manos said.
He also said he still appreciates the help afforded him by kind people.

By the time he was 13, Manos had a job in his uncle’s restaurant in Five Points. He also studied America, its systems and institutions. In the ninth grade Manos took a test and became an America citizen.

“I love this country. I’m proud to be an American,” Manos said. He said he “did it the right way” and he believes anyone entering the country should have to educate themselves about what America stands for.
As a Columbia High School student Manos played football. He practiced football until about 5 p.m., then went to work in the restaurant until 10 p.m. or later. Then he did his homework after work. It was a full schedule, but Manos loved it. He made many friends in school and still corresponds with some of them today.

Upon graduation, Manos had a plan.
“I have always respected the military,” said Manos. He said President Ronald Reagan was his favorite and Reagan showed that there is no peace without national defense. After high school, Manos served two years in the U.S. Army as a military policemen and six years in the Reserves.

When he got out of the army, Manos planned to enroll at USC, but opportunity knocked.
A cousin, Angelo Tsiantis, told him of small restaurant front, that sold nothing more than hot dogs and ice cream in Triangle City.

“I came over and looked at it,” Manos said. “It was a small place, maybe 10-by-15-or-20,” Manos said. He and Tsiantis bought it for Manos to run.

Over the years, with Manos work, it grew.

“I’d work seven-days-a-week, 60-to-90-hours a week,” Manos said.
He said a friend once kidded him about fast-food franchises putting him out of business.
“There is no way. They cannot outwork me,” Manos said.

And for his hard work, Manos has been rewarded, not only has he earned success, others have noticed.
In January of 2014, Manos was honored by the South Carolina Senate with a Resolution recognizing his accomplishments. In November he was inducted into the S.C. Hospitality Hall of Fame. And earlier this month, Manos was commended by the City of West Columbia.

In summing it up, Manos makes no apologies. “I have worked hard and it shows you can be successful,” He said. “I am an example of the American Dream.”