Zaharakos has long been known for such eye-catching throwbacks as its original onyx soda fountain from the 1904 World’s Fair and the booming, century-old, Welte orchestrion in its facility on Washington Street.
But far fewer people realize that the second-floor served as the living quarters for Greek immigrant George Zaharako and his family and several other families from 1900 to 1914, according to The Republic archives.
Twice-weekly, hour-long, $15 tours have begun of the fabled restaurant’s upstairs that include the restored space that houses living quarters, and also includes the crystal parlor, soda fountain and mechanical music libraries. Debra Slone, a local history buff who helped in bringing the second-floor area back to life, serves as the tour guide backspacing through the memories.
“I think there’s still so much to tell,” said Slone, who dresses in period, lace dresses for the tours booked through the Columbus Area Visitors Center. “And I probably know the history there as well as anyone.”
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The museum features rare items from the 1800s — a restored 1870s orchestrion, syrup dispensers and the largest collection of pre-1900 marble soda fountains on public display, including one from the 1850s, according to the zaharakos.com website.
For many years, the space was unseen by the public and used as storage.
But local business leader Tony Moravec, who restored the restaurant in 2009, then restored the second floor shortly afterward with Slone leading the effort.
She picked out the curtains and the fireplace tiles. She helped furnish the kitchen with modern appliances with an old-time feel — and even tested them out with a batch of cookies. In the bedroom is antique furniture similar to what would have been there in 1900.
A sizable portion of Slone’s presentation for visitors focuses on the soda fountains and the those who worked there — people so significant to the time period that they earned only slightly less than pharmacists of the day, according to her research.
“Carbonated water was at one time thought to be medicinal,” she said. “The ‘soda jerks’ at the time were trying to imitate what they thought was the health of the mineral springs.”
Slone’s tour includes liberal amounts of national history to set the tone of the times. She includes presidents, the big events of the day and more.
“Ideally, I would like for people to be able to walk away knowing at least a little more than they did when they arrived,” she said.
She also includes elements of Zaharakos’ family history, such as the fact that James Zaharako served as a member of the Imperial Guard in Greece.
“To me, the real story of all this is the family,” she said.
Erin Hawkins, director of marketing for the Columbus Area Visitors Center, believes the tours will be popular. Before the tours began, people could see the second level only by special appointment.
“The people who walk into our gift shop every day first want to pick up an architecture map, and then they ask, ‘Oh — where’s that ice cream parlor?’” Hawkins said. “It’s one of our most popular attractions in town — and one that many people already seem to be familiar with when they arrive in Columbus.”
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What: Tours of the second story of Zaharakos at 329 Washington St. in downtown Columbus.
When: 3 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays
Booking: At the Columbus Area Visitors Center website at columbus.in.us
Cost: $15 per person
Information: columbus.in.us
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