Former Galloway Station GM plans April opening for restaurant

Galloway Station Bar & Grill’s former general manager is targeting an April opening for his downtown Greek restaurant.

John Tsahiridis, the owner of Greek Belly LLC, said Nesbitt Construction Inc. started the infill work at 320 E. Walnut St. a couple weeks ago after delays. Tsahiridis originally announced the restaurant plans last year and had sought to open as early as spring 2017, according to the company’s Facebook page.

“There wasn’t a restaurant before,” Tsahiridis said of the space that previously housed The Albatross Hookah Lounge & Fine Tobacco Emporium before it relocated. “After many, many false starts and trying to get things lined out with the contractors and with the city — we finally figured things out.”

Tsahiridis is investing an undisclosed amount in the 2,000-square-foot restaurant leased from building owner Nick Sibley, next door to Jimmy John’s. Tsahiridis said he signed a five-year lease last year at undisclosed terms.

Tsahiridis, who worked at Galloway Station for 14 years before exiting last summer, said he launched the Greek Belly concept to serve up gyros and other fresh-made dishes in a fast-casual atmosphere. He’s operated the business at festivals such as Artsfest, as well as through catering. Tsahiridis also is planning to bring the concept to Farmers Market of the Ozarks at Farmers Park within three weeks.

“I got exposed to the restaurant business at a young age,” said Tsahiridis, who has 25 years of industry experience. “My Greek heritage, I’m very passionate about. I wanted people to experience the real, authentic part of it.”