Greek Islands Coney re-opens after March fire

By Lisa Brody

There's good news for lovers of Birmingham's Greek Islands Coney Restaurant. Following a hood fire where the flames shot out of the roof, the popular Birmingham dining spot re-opened on Wednesday, May 4, following a restoration.

Popular Birmingham dining spot Greek Islands, 221 Hamilton Row, suffered a hood fire that shot through the roof on Thursday, March 3. Fire Marshal Jack Pesha of the Birmingham Fire Department said a passerby saw flames coming out the roof of the eatery around 8:20 a.m., and called 911. Pesha said he was doing inspections at businesses nearby and quickly arrived at the scene, where he saw “a four-foot flame shoot straight up out of the roof.”

Greek Islands experienced significant internal and external building damage. BELFOR Property Restoration immediately jumped in to work on the eatery.

“Greek Islands is a favorite lunch spot for BELFOR team members, many of whom were involved in the restoration process this spring. After frequenting the restaurant on a near-daily basis for years, the BELFOR team felt especially called to help the restaurant, whose employees they consider an extended part of the BELFOR family,” said a BELFOR spokesperson. “Sheldon Yellen, CEO of BELFOR, and John Kotsogiannis, owner of Greek Islands Coney Restaurant, have a special relationship after bonding over their entrepreneurial journeys.”

The two cut a ribbon on Wednesday, May 4, signifying the re-opening of the restaurant, inviting diners back.