The Orchards to celebrate 20 years with special event on June 5
CHAMBERSBURG >>The Orchards will celebrate its 20th anniversary with a community event at 5:30 p.m. June 5.
It will begin with a ceremonial ribbon cutting, followed by a reception featuring complimentary champagne, wine and appetizers. Well-known local artist Kevin Shannon will perform live music.
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the Kalathas family came to the U.S. from Greece with a desire to establish themselves in the restaurant business. Charlie and Tom worked at the Texas Lunch Restaurant in downtown Chambersburg until 1972 when they purchased the business. As the years rolled by and their reputation grew, they found a continuing demand for their business.
With this demand from guests, they decided to establish another restaurant. This restaurant would allow them to diversify into a fine dining facility, which they called The Orchards. The Orchards dining room in Chambersburg has a seating capacity of 160 guests. The six private party dining rooms accommodate six to twenty guests, while the ballroom seats up to 400 guests. The 75-seat cocktail lounge is used frequently by dining patrons because of its warm and casual atmosphere.
Early in January 2001, another generation assumed the responsibility of continuing fine traditions at The Orchards Restaurant. Mike Kalathas, son of Charlie Kalathas and a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, took over the reins as the general manager of The Orchards.
Mike combines the passion of his culinary visions and expertise in the restaurant business, with the love of the community by providing them with a restaurant unparalleled in his hometown of Chambersburg.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the families that have invited my family to be part of some of the most memorable moments of your lives," said Mike. "Countless birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, baby showers, funerals, reunions, business meetings, political campaigns and fundraisers have been held within the four walls of The Orchards Restaurant.
"I feel that the most important thing in life is to make your mark, to leave a legacy that benefits others," he continued. "Success is not so much what you do for a living, but living your life in such a way as to make a difference in the world, or at least your little corner of it. Living so that the world is a little better place because you passed through. I strive to achieve that goal every day and I thank you all for the opportunity."