Vernalis Restaurant commemorates 75 years in business
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL - Confetti flies as the ceremonial ribbon is cut to celebrate Vernalis Restaurant's 75th Anniversary on July 28, 2023.
SHENANDOAH – For nearly half as long as Shenandoah borough’s existence, Vernalis Restaurant has been a staple of the downtown business district.
The business at 32 South Main Street celebrated its 75th Anniversary Friday morning with a ceremonial ribbon cutting.
Founded in 1948 by the late Peter A. and Mary Logothetides Vernalis, the restaurant is one of Shenandoah’s oldest businesses, behind Oravitz Funeral Home, Kowalonek’s Kielbasy Shop, and Abrachinsky’s Hardware.
Vernalis’s is a spiritual successor of the Boston Lunch which once operated on West Centre Street. That establishment was open for decades and was operated by Mary’s parents and had inspired them to open their own shop.
“They sought to create a place where people could come to gather to enjoy delicious meals, share laughter, and create cherished memories,” Robert Carl Jr., president of the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce, said during Friday’s ribbon cutting.
Peter A. and Mary retired in the 1980s, handing over the reigns to Peter Jr. and Charlotte Vernalis, and they passed the restaurant to their children, Mike and Lisa, who operate the restaurant today.
“When I came out and saw all these people [for the ribbon cutting], I had a little tear in my eye,” Lisa Vernalis told the Sentinel. “I didn’t think I was going to get through my speech because I mentioned my father who would’ve loved being here.”
Peter passed away in 2019. He was a pivotal leader in Shenandoah’s business community, including helping to lead the effort to construct the Anthracite Miners Memorial in town.
Louis Truskowsky, president of the Greater Shenandoah Area Chamber of Commerce, said that he’d sometimes refer to the current owner, Mike, as Pete by mistake.
“That says something about the legacy, that I was still referring to Mike as Pete,” Truskowsky said. “Pete will always be alive as long as Mike and Lisa are around. I think that’s a tribute to Pete and his wife.”
Truskowsky also described Shenandoah’s oldest businesses as gems in a ring.
“Vernalis’s is certainly a diamond — a big diamond — in that ring,” Truskowsky said.
Lisa Vernalis expressed gratitude for the community and for the restaurant’s staff in helping them reach 75 years in business.
Schuylkill County Commissioners Chairman Barron “Boots” Hetherington said he’s known the Vernalis family for years, and, operating a farm in Pattersonville, he’s often supported the business on trips over the Locust Mountain into town.
“It’s great to see a multi-generation business going forward,” Hetherington said. “America is built on small business. That’s the backbone.”
After Friday’s ribbon-cutting, the restaurant ran an outdoor food stand outside their restaurant, serving up burgers, gyros, and Shenandoah egg rolls, among others.
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