Laki “Bill” Sgourakis was in the search of opportunity when he fled his native Greece in 1966. He first considered relocating to Canada or Australia but after an aunt visited from Omaha, Bill decided to settle in the United States instead. He found work in a meatpacking plant and soon after met his future wife, Joanne. She being an American citizen allowed him to obtain citizenship three years later.
Bill would send for his brother George in 1970. The brothers established a reputation in the Greek community by preparing food for its annual festival. By the 1980’s both brothers were working at meat packing plants which were closing left and right. By the time Bill’s closed, he was 44 years old and having a difficult time finding a new job as he received no formal education in his homeland.
Peering out of the window of Gentile’s Barbershop, Bill noticed a vacant building across Center Street. It just so happened it was owned by another Greek, Peter Axiotes. Peter agreed to lease the building to his fellow countrymen so that the brothers could open a Greek restaurant. They combined their savings but that wasn’t enough. With no experience in the industry, they also found it difficult to get a bank loan. That’s when he called on another connection, this time a Greek friend who worked at a bank. Even so, he had to put his house up for collateral in order to secure the $25k loan. At this point, the brothers were all-in.
The brothers knew how to cook but quickly realized that they didn’t know how to operate a restaurant. To solve this problem, they travelled to Chicago so that they could learn from the many Greek restaurants operating in the Windy City. They returned and opened their restaurant, Greek Islands, in 1983 with their wives. While they all had a specialty, it was George’s wife Koula who was the main cook.
The diminutive but lively restaurant seated just 54. Success was all but guaranteed but due to their hard work, long hours and delicious food, the restaurant thrived. Bill said that he hadn’t stepped outside of the restaurant for the first two and a half years. It paid off in 1986 when they opened a second room on the east side of the building which allowed 50 more seats.
Business was so good at Greek Islands that they decided to move the restaurant to a larger building just three blocks west in 1994. The new building at 3821 Center had been the home of King’s Food Host followed by an Italian/American restaurant called Nanna’s. When Nanna’s closed its doors, it allowed Greek Islands to move into the large space which offered seating for 200. After a renovation, the large airy dining space featured sconces that resemble mythical Greek heroes, a wall with Grecian style columns, framed posters of Greek landscapes and walls with two murals.
Bill said it was God’s will to keep the place open. He said that while they knew how to cook, they had offer reasonable prices and take care of people. Their philosophy was to never let a customer leave disappointed. He also credited his family for the restaurants longevity. Even though Bill passed away in 2020, his legacy lives on as Greek Islands continues as what many consider the best Greek restaurant in Omaha.
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