NEON OWNER SPEAKS OUT
By Lou Duro
       
  In response to The Ko-Go Khronicles page one story in its June, 2006 issue, There's No Charge To View Kokkini Hani's Modern Ruin, the owner of the site on the town's main street contacted this newspaper to present his side of the story.

The article pointed out that many residents and shop owners felt that the long-abandoned fast food restaurant, Neon, had become an "eyesore" to the community.

Manolis Plevrakis of Anopolis, owner of the extremely large property, as well as the self-service restaurant that operated there, felt that some of the comments were unfair, or worse.

"The woman who said she ordered spaghetti carbonara and got 'something in red sauce' is a liar," Mr. Plevrakis told this newspaper. "We had many other problems, but the food wasn't one of them. It was very good. Unfortunately, we had to close for other reasons."

Mr. Plevrakis, who also owns the hugely popular Water City amusement complex and The Palladium night club, both in Anopolis, didn't elaborate on the "other" reasons, but he did offer an apology of sorts to the community, and hinted that local residents will be pleasantly surprised very soon.

"After Neon closed, I planned to open a 65-room hotel on the site," he said. "All the plans and architect's renderings were completed, but then the tide of tourism in the area changed. There is no business now in Kokkini Hani for a 65-room hotel."

So just what is being planned now? he was asked.

"Two things this area really needs," he said. "Plans are almost complete for a major discount supermarket, and we are negotiating with an important bank to open a branch office." Mr. Plevrakis, who is also on the town council for the Gouves Demos, promised that readers of this newspaper would get a preview of the new plans for the location as soon as they are completed.

Editor's Note: Mr. Plevrakis, an important political voice in the Gouves Township, has consented to an in-depth interview for our next issue.