Regina's Copper Kettle owner Robert Gardikiotis dies at 81

Robert Gardikiotis, the co-owner of the Copper Kettle restaurant and a fixture in Regina's downtown restaurant scene, has died at 81.

Gardikiotis and his wife owned and operated the well-known restaurant on Scarth Street across from Victoria Park for half a century.

He died Monday night in Regina.

In September, the couple celebrated the restaurant's 50th anniversary. Gardikiotis was interviewed by CBC Radio's The Morning Edition about the momentous occasion.

Gardikiotis said in the interview that it was the customer service that kept people coming back to the restaurant for all those years.

"They appreciate and I appreciate. It works two ways. And I am overwhelmed with the response of the people," he said at the time.

Gardikiotis had shared one of his favourite memories with CBC as well, in which he met Tommy Douglas in the restaurant in the mid-60s.

He said the two stayed in touch for years, and Douglas would order the grilled cheese when he stopped at the restaurant.