In our first of a series celebrating Tribeca’s people, places and past, Gee Whiz Diner owner Chris Panayiotou reflects on his youth, his father’s passing, neighborhood diversity, the toll of corporate development, and his own place in a community that he considers family.
Interview and photograph by Linda Buongermino, CFDC Marketing & Communications Committee Volunteer
CFDC: Chris, what is your connection to Tribeca?
CP: My dad, Peter Panayiotou, founded Gee Whiz in 1987, and I’ve been coming here ever since. I don’t live here. I live in Queens, but I grew up here.
CFDC: How was the business started here?
CP: My dad said that he and his former partner, Andy, came to this spot (295 Greenwich Street) four times when they were looking around for spaces. It was just a nice little hidden gem at the time. It felt like it was so old school New York and untouched. The area was slowly building, but it was mostly lofts and warehouses and smaller buildings. At the time, if you looked out the corner from Greenwich and Warren, you would see the water and the boats pass by. We would come over here on Fourth of July, sit inside the restaurant, and look at the fireworks. That’s how it was.
CFDC: What memories of your early days in Tribeca can you share?
CP: When I was a kid, I used to come around and hang with my father, who would bring me on the weekends. As a new business owner, he wanted to get well-connected with the community, learn from everyone, see what everyone does and what they like. I remember we’d always run around the corner and go to Baskin Robbins and the pretzel place. I remember when September 11th happened. We had to close, and the people who lived around here helped us get back in to assess how much damage was done. I remember Sandy, with all the power getting knocked out. Customers and people who lived in the area would say they could loan us their fridge.
CFDC: Can you describe how Tribeca has changed over the years?
CP: I think it’s becoming more corporate. From what I remember, coming as a kid, it was just a neighborhood. You had your little shops, your little stores all around. You see now all these big high rises, all these franchise stores popping up one day, and if they don’t do well, they’re just going to end up leaving for the next one to come in. That’s not good. It’s not doing anything for the community. I feel like people are losing a little. Tribeca itself is losing a little bit of its soul in a sense.
CFDC: How would you describe Gee Whiz customers?
CP: With most people I meet, I find a little connection here and there, just with everyday life. Not just rich people, all different kinds of people. Hardworking people and kids from the schools. Adults come in years later and say they remember coming to the diner when they were kids. And they are so happy to see that we are still here. All different and diverse types of people.
CFDC: What happened during the pandemic?
CP: My dad passed because of the coronavirus. He passed at the beginning of it, and Andy we lost just a week before. Two big losses. I came down around here, just to make sure that everything was all right because of the riots. Then I looked at the front door and all I saw was flowers. I saw signs, cards. People took whatever they had, pieces of paper, just writing their sympathy, how they’re sorry, how they’re going to miss my dad. I just carried those cards with me. I was very emotional, but it was a wonderful feeling. The community didn’t treat him like he was a business owner. They treated him like he was a person, a friend.
CFDC: Anything else you’d like to share?
CP: I’ll add that I know the way I do it isn’t the same as how my dad did it, but I did watch my dad and Andy. So whatever you guys miss, I will try to bring back. I’m grateful for Tribeca, that you guys adopted me. That how this little kid who was coloring in the corner or playing his video games is now feeding the community, taking advice from everyone, and trying to keep us together. You guys are my family, an extended family, and I thank Tribeca for that.