ZAHARAKOS OLD-FASHIONED ICE CREAM PARLOR

The Chicago Sun-Times visited Zaharako’s when it re-opened its doors, and spoke with Tony Moravec (Zaharakos’ owner and president of a Columbus pharmaceutical company), who told them: “There’s nothing like this in the country today Lots of places have gone back to the 50s but you’re not going to find anybody who’s gone back to the turn of the century to this extent.” He also explained, “Back in the ’40s, Zaharakos is where (J. Irwin) Miller used to talk about modern design with the likes of Eero Saarinen and Charles Eames over ice cream.” (Excerpts from “Hot Fudge and History,” Chicago Sun-Times)

From the Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana news release:
“Tony Moravec won recognition for his restoration of a beloved Indiana treasure, Zaharakos Ice Cream Parlor in downtown Columbus. Known far and wide for its authentic vintage interior, the institution closed in 2006 after 106 years in operation and the community mourned. Moravec stepped forward to redress the loss. He not only refurbished the interior’s walnut and oak woodwork and onyx soda fountain, he also recreated a nineteenth-century storefront to replace the 1950s façade that didn’t match the authentic interior. He even bought back the 1908 Welte organ that had been sold to a California collector.”