Longtime San Pedran, 98 year old Nickie Troy tells the story of her father’s immigration to the United States from Greece in 1902. She recalls his arrival to San Pedro and the Beacon Street restaurant he started and she got her first waitress job.

June 16, 2022
SOLAHA Vol. III, No. 6 Nicoletta “Nickie” (Andritsis) Troy
Lifetime San Pedran 98 year old Nickie, daughter of immigrant Greek Tom Andritsi, recounts story of her father emigrating to the U.S.A. in 1902 eventually settling in San Pedro. He opened a bakery, then the City Hall Café where she enjoyed working from age 12, and had an especially loving relationship with her father, that lead to a life time occupation as a waitress in some of San Pedro’s favorite restaurants.

Upon graduating from San Pedro High School Nickie was chosen to work for the first child care organization in Southern California district after WWII. She secured the job because she had just turned 18, and truly enjoyed the work.

She married at age 21 and continued working then left she when she was expecting a baby quitting rather than taking a leave of absence so she was not able to return to that job (unfortunately she lost the child). With her experience working for her Dad she was able to get a waitress job at the Pirates Den, then continued on to other popular restaurants including the Fireside (located behind Nick Orb’s drive-in, now where Jack in Box is situated at 6th & Gaffey Streets, Cigo’s (Croatian) until it closed, the Hacienda Hotel, Harbor Lights and finally at Ante’s where she was so appreciated (remembering her customers drink and dining preferences) for about 30 years, until she retired.

More delightful stories and memories from “Nickie” in weeks to come.

Special note: Nickie’s father was brother of “Katina”, the first Mrs. Nicholas Papadakis, and Nickie was first cousin of (late) Tom Papadakis, father famed restaurateur and “Singing Linebacker” John Papadakis (a participant in SOLAHA, Vol. IV)

 


 

Other Memories From Nickie Troy