![The Real Olga Of Olga’s Kitchen Dies at 92](http://townsquare.media/site/689/files/2019/01/Olgas.jpg?w=980&q=75)
The Real Olga Of Olga’s Kitchen Dies at 92
Olga Loizon, who began a Michigan restaurant tradition after a visit to her native Greece in the 1960's, has died. She was 92.
Loizon found inspiration in that visit to perfect her version of the Gyro. Everything came together in 1970.
As luck would have it, while shopping at the fondly-remembered Continental Market in Birmingham, Michigan, Olga walked past a “wooden shoe” store that was closing. She stopped. She didn’t want any wooden shoes, she wanted the 10 x 10 space. After securing a loan at her local bank, the first woman to ever achieve that small feat, Olga was in business. - Olga's Kitchen website
That first storefront became Olga's Kitchen. The one location became multiple locations, including Crossroads Mall, but primarily in the Metro Detroit area. Olga's fell on hard times and filed for bankruptcy in 2015. The chain was subsequently purchased by Team Schostak Family Restaurants. Even after the sale, Loizon would continue to visit the restaurants bearing her name.
(Olga's is in the process of opening a second Kalamazoo area location at Drake Rd. and Stadium Drive.)
More From WKFR
![One Of Michigan’s Smallest Towns Now Named ‘Fastest Growing City’](http://townsquare.media/site/689/files/2024/07/attachment-Untitled-design-2024-07-26T085835.318.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Community Alert: Why Are Helicopters Circling Portage, Michigan?](http://townsquare.media/site/689/files/2024/07/attachment-helicopter-portage-michigan-1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Popular Breakfast Joint in Downtown Kalamazoo, MI Announces Sudden Closure](http://townsquare.media/site/689/files/2024/07/attachment-berries-downtown-kalamazoo-1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Michigan Restaurant Now Named ‘Best Chinese’ Spot In The Nation](http://townsquare.media/site/689/files/2024/07/attachment-Untitled-design-2024-07-26T073441.618.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Fun Facts About the Penniman Castle in Battle Creek](http://townsquare.media/site/689/files/2022/08/attachment-Untitled-design-2024-07-26T075300.114.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![It Is Illegal To Throw These 5 Things Away In Michigan](http://townsquare.media/site/689/files/2022/12/attachment-Untitled-design-2024-07-26T063657.241.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Are Michigan’s Sand Dunes in Danger of Disappearing?](http://townsquare.media/site/689/files/2024/07/attachment-michigan-dune-migration.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Beware: MI Residents Warned To Avoid These Items Attracting Ticks](http://townsquare.media/site/689/files/2024/07/attachment-Untitled-design-2024-07-25T085006.660.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Birds of Michigan: What You’re Hearing In Your Back Yard](http://townsquare.media/site/689/files/2024/07/attachment-native-birds-michigan-1.jpg?w=980&q=75)