Beloved Aiken Restaurant Owner ‘Jimmy the Greek’ Found Dead Inside Business
AIKEN, S.C. — A well-known Aiken restaurant owner, affectionately known by locals as “Jimmy the Greek,” has died inside his longtime business, leaving the community mourning a familiar face in the city’s dining scene.
Authorities said Jimmy D. Varos, 78, was found dead on Friday, September 19, inside The Variety Restaurant on York Street NE.
Discovery Inside the Restaurant
Family members requested a welfare check after not hearing from Varos. Officers with the Department of Public Safety arrived around 3:30 p.m. and found him deceased in a part of the building that had been converted into a living space.
Officials also noted a strong odor of propane gas inside the restaurant, though no immediate hazards were reported at the time.
Autopsy Results Released
The Aiken County Coroner, Darryl Ables, confirmed that Varos died of natural causes following an autopsy on September 22. However, the case remains open pending toxicology results.
Legacy of The Variety Restaurant
Built in 1931, The Variety Restaurant is considered one of the first “family restaurants” in the Aiken area. Varos purchased the establishment in the 1980s and had been a fixture in the community ever since, often greeting customers personally.
For decades, the restaurant has been a gathering spot for families, locals, and visitors, symbolizing both tradition and hospitality.
Do you have fond memories of dining at The Variety Restaurant or meeting “Jimmy the Greek”? Share your stories in the comments on SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
