Editor’s Note: Journalism student Kia Dimakis wrote this profile of her grandfather, Antonios Dimakis, and his business, Mark’s Deli. Her father, Stavros Dimakis, is the current owner of the business.

Mark’s Deli’s original owner, Antonios Dimakis, recently turned 90.

Known for its bustling businesses in the downtown area, Haverhill has many old stories of immigration and many outstanding community members that have come from other countries to make lives for themselves in America, choosing to settle in Haverhill.

No different, Antonios “Tony” Dimakis came to the US from Chios, Greece in 1970. “I had nothing except a one-hundred dollar bill in my pocket, and the clothes on my back,” said Dimakis. “I got off the bus in downtown, saw a payphone to call my brother, and noticed a ‘help wanted’ sign on the diner,” he added.

Dimakis went on to purchase this diner, Mark’s Deli, in 1975.

Dimakis left behind three children and his wife at the time, who had to stay in Chios while he found work in America. “I did not meet my father until I was five years old,” said his son, Stavros, of Haverhill—the current owner of the diner. “I remember walking into the diner for the first time; I had never seen anything like it. Greeks didn’t eat eggs and bacon for breakfast,” he laughed.

Antonios, luckily, already spoke some English before he came to the states — having a background in the Greek military, it was a requirement. Dimakis said of this “I am very lucky to have known the language a little, otherwise, it would have been much harder. Haverhill is my home, yes, but some people did not like an accent — somebody different than them —e specially in the 1970’s.”

Dimakis acknowledges his privilege in being of European descent in the US, but he also describes the struggles of being an immigrant—ones which his children felt the most.

His son explained that he learned English by watching TV, trying to copy the accent so that the other children would not make fun of him. “I’m lucky that because my dad owned [Mark’s Deli] we had connections to people—cops, teachers, students’ parents. It’s hard being an immigrant. I admire my father so much for the groundwork he laid for us. And how he has served this city for decades.”

Mark’s Deli is one of the rare few buildings left in Haverhill that is untouched by renovations. Serving the community since 1975, it does not look much different than it did almost 50 years ago.

A regular customer since its opening, Pete Miller, chimed in, saying “I think it’s important for places like this to stay open. It’s a staple in our town, you know, and a great place to work, eat, meet people. It’s got everything.” He joked.

Although Dimakis turned 90-years-old and has been retired for years, he still frequents the diner daily. “I like to come in, see all the familiar faces, have my cup of tea, and enjoy the fruits of my labor. For years, this is all I have wanted,” he said.

Dimakis is a firm believer in the support of immigrants making a living in Haverhill. He claimed immigrants are “the backbone of the city, and the heart of delicious foods.” When asked about the importance of support for young immigrants in positions such as his own in the past, Dimakis said “without support, there is nothing. They are our future, our friends, our neighbors.

And this is what I have made sure my family business stands for. Our door is always open, too,” he laughed.

It is no secret that college is expensive, and many students have to work while enrolled.

In Haverhill, however, there are some full-time students who find it a mutually beneficial relationship to be working close to school, and at small local businesses.

20-year-old student, Nicole Sabando, works as a waitress at the Bradford Village Square, located only 10 minutes off 495 from Northern Essex Community College.

Sabando explained “…I thought it would be a great opportunity to make some money close to campus. It also works out because I only go on campus a few times a week so I can work more hours.”

Sabando graduated from NECC last year and now attends classes at UMass Lowell.

She added “Diners are usually quiet during the week because of school and work, but I’ve tried my best to spice up the marketing,” she laughed,

“I use my knowledge of social media to get more business around here. I run the Instagram page for us.”

Bob Lapierre, the new owner of the Bradford Village Square, appreciates the work Sabando is doing, while balancing her school life, too.

Lapierre said “I find it amazing what these kids can do these days with social media — it has been incredibly crucial to our business. I also appreciate that I can give work to students around the Haverhill area. A few on our crew are college students, and I admire them infinitely.”

Lapierre is a Haverhill native. He did not go to college, but he expressed much admiration for students in school, having children who furthered their education and understanding the struggle from a parent’s perspective.

Sabando is a student majoring in Journalism, but she sees herself in a career involving Public Relations, as well.

She expressed “I’m getting more experience to put on my resume as well, by being the self-proclaimed social media manager here. I’m learning about demographics, how to advertise, and how to gain more media attention for the business. Overall, it has been very successful so far.”

Another student and server at the Bradford Village Square, Chloe Tuccolo, agreed with Sabando.
Tuccolo said “I have almost always worked at local businesses, and I find them to be much more accommodating to my class schedule than any corporate business.”

Tuccolo works most weekends at the diner because unlike Sabando, she has class commitments most days of the week.

“Somedays, I just need time to get all my homework done, or study for exams. But I still need to work. I had a hard time finding a job that would work around my schedule till now. And it’s awesome that it’s in Haverhill.”

Lapierre also brought up the issue of small businesses working through COVID-19 and the ever increasing prices to running a restaurant.

He said of this “You know, I think eating out has become less common with the fear of coronavirus. But these young kids bring in more business, I’ve found. They tell their friends and their classmates about it, and our customers are changing. I’m seeing more and more young people coming around—it’s awesome. Our waitstaff is the highlight of the place.”

Many small businesses in Haverhill have felt the effects of the pandemic, and so have students themselves.
Lapierre believes “Our students are the future. They’re innovative, motivated, and so creative. They’re also tech-smart, which I am not. I’m proud to employ the future of the Haverhill community, and they’re able to afford their education.”