» 101 West 66th Street, The Colonial (original) (raw)
The restaurant’s slogan of “Visit the Ship that Never Goes to Sea!” referenced a 104-foot-long yacht inside the eatery which served as the bar. Mike’s Ships Ahoy was more than a restaurant: it was a New York City destination. A promotional postcard from 1945 described the establishment as “An interestingly different nautical atmosphere. The only one of its kind in New York—showplace in the city of places to see! 104 foot yacht bar. 300 seating capacity. Colorful dining room! Upper deck. Promenade deck. Promenade bridge. Gangplank. Pilot room. Cabin nooks. Life boats. Marine effects. Main salon. For almost 12 years we have specialized exclusively in Fish, Lobster, and Plank Steak Dinners with the result that we are known everywhere.” By 1945 the restaurant additionally boasted a torpedo room called The Nautilus and had its own fleet of trucks.
Mike cared deeply for his island home of Kythera, and his restaurant served the greater Kytherian diaspora in New York City. In addition to employing Kytherians as waiters, he was the president of the Kytherian Association of New York and hosted the organization’s meetings and celebrations at Ships Ahoy.[2] A photo from the 1940s shows a Kytherian Association celebratory float in front of the restaurant with a banner that reads: “Greece gives thanks to her life saver, America.”
By the early 1950s, Mike was in a sound financial position which allowed him to give back to his modest island roots. He participated in a pan-Kytherian campaign to raise funds to construct the very first hospital on the island of Kythera, driving across the United States to solicit donations from fellow Kytherian-Americans.
For his work in raising money to build the hospital, Mike was recognized by King Paul of Greece with the Order of the Phoenix, an award that recognizes Greeks who have distinguished themselves in the fields of public administration, science, commerce, industry and shipping, and the arts and letters.
The fundraising initiative began in Greece by a man named Nikolaos Trifyllis from the Kytherian village of Trifyllianika. In Nikolaos’ last will and testament, he established a charity foundation entitled “Trifylleion Hospital of Kythera”, with the sole purpose of building and operating the first hospital on the island in Potamos, Kythera.[3] With the significant monetary aid of Mike, the hospital became a reality. The groundbreaking for the hospital was on May 21, 1953, and Mike attended. The charitable organization responsible for the hospital evolved to become the Trifylleion Foundation of Kytherians and is still active today.
For his work in raising money to build the hospital, Mike was recognized by King Paul of Greece with the Order of the Phoenix, an award that recognizes Greeks who have distinguished themselves in the fields of public administration, science, commerce, industry and shipping, and the arts and letters.[4]
While Mike’s Ships Ahoy was only in business for around 30 years in Manhattan, the contributions of Mike and the generosity of Greek-Americans made an indelible mark on the people of little Kythera, who previously never had a hospital. It remains the only hospital on the island to this day.
The 143-apartment, asymmetric 150 Columbus, developed by Millennium and designed by designed by Gary Edward Handel + Associates with Schuman, Lichtenstein, Claman & Efron as architect of record now occupies the block.
[1] “Out Among the Builders.” Real Estate Record and Guide 49 no. 1258 (April 23, 1892): 648-649.
[2] Notable Kytherians: Mixalis Anthony Semitekolos. Kytherian Society of California. Accessed: www.ksoca.com
[3] Trifylleion Foundation of Kytherians: About. Accessed: http://www.trifilio.gr/en/the-foundation
[4] Order of the Phoenix: the third Hellenic Order in the Hierarchy. Accessed: https://www.presidency.gr/en/hellenic-orders-decorations/order-of-the-phoenix/
Kelly Carroll is a historic preservation specialist and adjunct instructor at NYU SPS.