CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WTVD) — A beloved Chapel Hill restaurant, Kipos Greek Taverna, is finally reopening after being devastated by Tropical Storm Chantal last summer.
Located on East Franklin Street, the restaurant — along with other businesses in Eastgate Shopping Center — was flooded in July. The road to recovery has been long and challenging.
“We didn’t have as much luck with the insurance that we’d like to have,” owner Giorgios Bakatsias said, “but we’re committed to bringing this restaurant back because it was very important.”
Amid the destruction, one cherished survivor was the family photos from Greece.
Bakatsias reflected: “When I opened (this restaurant), it was honoring the ancestors, and they were more resilient than I will ever be. So, that’s the least I could do is to make sure that this restaurant comes back.”
The entire space has been transformed from the kitchen to the wood-fired grill and bar, with Mediterranean-inspired design touches. This weekend is a celebration of resilience and new beginnings.
“Extremely exciting. So exciting. I can be jumping jacks through the ceiling, through the roof,” Bakatsias said.
The grand reopening is set for 5 p.m. Saturday.
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