Ludington's Old Hamlin Restaurant has been family owned and operated since the early 1940's, and has become a favorite among both locals and tourists. The name Old Hamlin, comes from the original resturaunt which was located on Hamlin Lake just north of Ludington.
The Current owners are brothers, Chris and George Papadakos. Their uncle originally owned the restaurant, but since 1975 the brothers have run the very sucessful Greek-American restaurant.
The Old Hamlin is known for it's homemade food, including breads and pies made on the premise.
The restaurant is also known around town for it's never ending freshly ground coffee.
Chris Papadakos said the resturant depends on volume, not price, to keep going. They also depend on word of mouth advertising. He believes that is the best kind of advertising to have.
"We are hard working and we take care of our customers," He said. "We talk to the people, and if there is someting wrong, we take care of it".
Papadakos has about 25 employees off season and 35-40 on-season. He said that his employees are very friendly and he always asks them what the customers ask for.
The resturant, that seats about 96, is located downtown Ludington. Papadakos said he would like to expand, but there is no room. There is another resturaunt on one side and a retail store on the other.
The resturant next door is not his only competition. There are four other resturants located in the same block as the Old Hamlin. Papadakos has his work cut out for him because of all the competition in town.
He said he doesn't mind the competition because it makes them work harder to please the customers. But he did say that the resturaunt industry has become more difficult than in the past. It is also much more expensive to operate a restauraunt today.
Another problem Papadakos and other area restraunteurs and retailers are facing is supension of the car ferry. The Ferry previously ran across Lake Michigan from Ludington to Wisconsin. The Ferry created additional traffic in Ludington which greatly increased sales.
Papadakos still enjoys the business because he likes to be with people.
"I like to be with the public, that's why I have a restauraunt", he said.
Written July, 1991 © all rights reserved
Since this article was written, there have been a few changes at the Old Hamlin Restaurant. George has since retired. The resturant is now owned by Chris and Marsha Papadakos. The restaurant has been expanded with the purchase of the restauraunt next door. It now has the capacity to seat several more persons. With the purchase came a licence to serve fine wines and alcoholic beverages with meals.