Page 8 - Classically Carolina 2017

CHOPs has built a strong the time, she said, she was
reputation on what it does just not interested in the
and there is no reason to restaurant business.
stray from that. “I worked hard to earn my
Nonetheless, there are accounting degree; I wanted
innovations one can do to do accounting,” she said.
within one’s sphere of She took a job with the
influence. For example, S.C. Hospitality Association
CHOPs recently introduced but found it wasn’t the
gluten free items -- most right fit for her. After
notably gluten free pizza nine months, she left the
– which has been very Hospitality Association and,
successful. with intentions of doing
“That has been a hit – I’ve this only until a job opened
had more people come up up in her field, she agreed
to me and tell me how glad to help her parents run the
they are we have gluten free restaurant in Pontiac.
and they don’t have to drive Then in 1995 her sister
all the way to Columbia,” she became ill with cancer.
said. Sadly, she passed away in
Megadrosos, who was 1996.
born in Athens, Greece, also It didn’t take too long for
plans to start introducing Georgia to realize she could
Greek favorites such as not run both restaurants
spanikopita, moussaka at peak performance at the
and other similar items as same time so the family sold
specials during the week. the Pontiac restaurant and
Megadrosos said she she took over management
doesn’t remember a time of CHOPs.
in her life when she wasn’t Her parents have been
around the restaurant fully retired from the
business. Her parents restaurant for several years
immigrated to the U.S. in now, although she says she
1970; they opened their still seeks their advice and
first pizza and sub shop in her mother still comes in
Massachusetts. It was a small, shopping center- fairly regularly to hand mix the pizza dough.
front shop which basically consisted of two booths, She also notes that the restaurant’s success
a counter, kitchen and tiny store room/office. Since rests squarely upon the efforts and attitude of her
they had no babysitters nor was there such a thing employees, many of whom have worked there for a
as Pre K or day care, her parents would put baby number of years.
Georgia in a play pen in the back room while they “We have some truly wonderful, hard working
worked their tiny restaurant. people here; we couldn’t do what we do without
“When I say I grew up in the restaurant them,” she said. “Any success we have is due to
business, I literally mean I grew up in the them.”
restaurant business,” she said. But ultimately, Georgia Megadrosos says the
The family would move from Massachusetts to restaurant’s customers are the secret to CHOP’s
Myrtle Beach, where her parents would establish success and she is grateful every day for all of
the King’s Pizza chain. Later, after a short-lived them.
relocation to Florida, the family would buy a “I am blessed, grateful and thankful for every
restaurant, Camden House of Pizza in Camden in single person who walks through that door,” she
1990. Her parents opened a second restaurant, said. “Last time I checked the phone book, there
Pontiac House of Pizza, shortly thereafter. were something like 42 different places to eat just
Georgia graduated from the University of South in Camden alone, so you bet we’re grateful people
Carolina in 1994 with a degree in accounting. At choose to come see us.”
16 / Camden ~ Classically Carolina