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Despite Dour Economy, Eatery Expands To Riverview

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By LAURA FRAZIER | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 19, 2009

RIVERVIEW - At a time when many business owners are taking pains to scale back and cut costs, brothers Costa and Sam Waez went to great expense to open their third restaurant, Acropolis Greek Taverna, set to open this weekend in a storefront previously occupied by Mojitos Grill in Winthrop Town Centre.

The brothers launched the popular restaurant and bar concept in 2002 at 1833 E. Seventh Ave. in Ybor City and five years later opened Acropolis Bar and Grill at 14947 Bruce B. Downs Boulevard in North Tampa.

Despite economic uncertainties, the restaurateurs forged ahead with plans to expand because Acropolis is their passion, Costa Waez said. He also considers it an investment in the local economy. The opening of the Riverview restaurant created 50 jobs.

"Now we have 150 [employees] at three locations," Waez said. "Think how it would be if every person tried to provide jobs instead of just putting money in the bank or the stock market."

People line up for lunch and dinner daily at the Tampa locations, Waez said, and he expects the Riverview restaurant to draw the same brisk business. Acropolis is renowned for its hearty Greek and Mediterranean fare served in a unique, festive atmosphere.

On a recent Friday at the Ybor City eatery, a young woman cloaked in scarves and veils enticed patrons to belly dance while Waez dazzled customers by breathing fire behind the bar. A musician strummed the bouzouki, a six-string instrument similar to a mandolin, and servers navigated through the lively dining room, plates held high above their shoulders.

Outside, diners relaxed with tea or cocktails in an open-air lounge. Some smoked herbal tobacco from hookahs, traditional Mediterranean water pipes. The restaurant provides the pipes and offers more than 20 varieties of flavored tobacco for sale.

"It's relaxing. You sit and chat," said Waez, a self-professed hookah expert. "It's social smoking."

The same food, entertainment and amenities are offered in each spot.

"There is always a lot of activity, and people are happy," he said. "If it's not broken, you don't try to fix it."

Waez said customers give high praise to the quality and value of the food, but he credits the restaurant's success to its easygoing, lively vibe.

"Our specialty is providing free entertainment for people who just want to get away from it all," he said. "They're sick of going to the sports bars or the clubs."

The concept, he said, attracts people of all ages, including singles, couples and families.

"We've got the whole bag, something for everyone," he said. "You can see how people are happy by their expression, their energy, how they move. This is the Acropolis."

Winthrop Town Centre is at Providence at Bloomingdale avenues, just south of Brandon.

For information, call (813) 654-2255 or go to www.acropolistaverna.com.

Reporter Laura Frazier can be reached at (813) 657-4523.

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