BROCKTON, Mass. — Customers of a Brockton pizza shop that temporarily closed after its owner died unexpectedly last month have flooded the restaurant since its reopening, overwhelming the family with support.
Jimmy Lambrakis, 65, owner of Supreme House of Pizza and Subs for nearly 40 years, died of a heart attack on Aug. 30, while vacationing with his wife in Greece.
Since his death, customers who have become family have left flowers and messages of at the Centre Street building.
On Friday, a customer began the “Supreme Challenge,” urging others on social media to eat at the shop every day to support the Lambrakis family.
“We're also doing the challenge, coming in here [to] eat,” said Sean Riley. “We try to do two times a day; we've been almost every other day.”
“I came here since I was a little kid,” Riley’s friend, Tony Ribeiro added. “Jimmy was a great guy. I know the whole family, and I eat here every single day.”
In front of the register on Sunday sat a picture of Lambrakis, a candle glowing beside it. Other pictures adorned the wall, as customers and friends stopped by to order food and offer their condolences.
“We're going through [such] bad times right now,” Manny Lambrakis, the owner’s son said. “But then coming in and showing us how much they love our family and how much they love our dad, it's just an amazing.”
“My father used to say, ‘My friend! My friend!’ And he really meant it; he really loved everyone,” said Lambrakis’s daughter, Elaine Follo. “We're amazed by the love that everyone is showing us. Sometimes people are coming in just for hugs and crying with us.”
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