Woody’s restaurant

RESTAURANT

Lifestyle chats to Andreas Olympus, owner of Woody’s in Protaras and part of a family chain of restaurants throughout the area

Tell us about your

family My father after working three jobs to support his family, came up with the idea to open a restaurant. The first one was in Ayia Napa by Landa beach and then he opened a second one in the centre called The Good Fortune which was very very busy until the mid 90s. Then he found a restaurant on Protaras and opened that. We used to cater for 600 people at la carte every night. I was 18 years old and I was the manager looking after 26 waiters. That’s how busy we were. I was in the army and coming back to help my family business and that is how I learnt my trade.

When did you open

Woody’s? I opened in 2016 and it was me and my brother. I was also a lifeguard (9 years as a life guard) and was working two jobs, working from 9am until 7pm on the beach and then coming straight here until 4am in the morning. I did it for a couple of weeks and then I gave up being a lifeguard because I couldn’t do both. I went to the town hall who managed the lifeguards and asked for two years off so I could dedicate my time to my business.

Do you miss being a

lifeguard? Very much so, I loved it but the money was very bad. It was hard to leave as I was very good at my job, with excellent reviews. It is very important to me that whatever I do I always put the customer first and make sure they are happy. This applies to Woody’s too, everyone who comes here is my family, not guests. It is my passion, my life and respect goes a long way, whatever I do.

What makes Woodys

so special? There are no clubs in Protaras, and bar and restaraunt owners come here after they finish work. There is a lot of respect for this place, everyone is like family, I am very happy

for everyone to be happy here. We all look out for each other. I found this place because it overlooks the church on the hill and this is what makes people come here. We are on the outskirts of Protaras, we are the first bar or the last bar on the main road. I always will I strongly believe we will get through this united and everyone needs to get back to normality. It is paradise here.

wanted my on place from the age of 19 and this is perfect as I take the good parts of every person.

Are you optimistic for the rest of the season?

Well with power and good

Leoforos Protara-Kavo Gkreko 298, Protaras 5296 Live music every Friday • OPEN EVERY NIGHT UNTIL 6AM Visit www.facebook.com/woodysinn1