Athina’s Deli: Storeholder history
Jim Katsaros is the owner of Athina’s Deli, which has been a staple at Preston Market for over half a century.
When did your stall start at Preston Market?
“Athina’s deli has been here under a couple of different names since the inception of the market in 1970, so it’s been there for 51 years now. We took over in the last eleven years from the prior owners, who were a Greek European based delicatessen and grocery. It’s quite involved, it’s not a huge space but we cater for many things.”
Why did you move in?
“I saw it as a good business opportunity, and I know the market very well because I have been going there for the last 51 years, and I know its history, including the plans, over the last 15 years, for redevelopment. I’ve found it quite easy to fit in, even though my particular shop is not owned by SALTA.”
What’s your perspective on the plan?
“I see the latest plans as being overwhelming in their size. I’m the type of person who likes things to develop and looks to the future to make sure we don’t stagnate, but as I see the project it seems to be too huge for the area, that’s my opinion. The people who decide will be the state government and the Victorian Planning Authority: my only hesitation on that is that the state government, in its quickness and speed to do all this because of COVID, won’t look at this project as they should. They don’t have a good relationship with the council, and the council is the closest thing to the voice of the people in the area because they are there every day, they speak to the people daily.”
“Changes can be made without destroying everything just to make 2000 apartments for the sake of making some money, that’s all it is in the end.”
“They have the right to make money as a private entity. but we all have the right to do things. I have the right to put up a 15 meter fence in front of my house but I can’t do it because there are limits to everything, laws and regulations. If the market is moved, let’s face it, it won’t be the same market. if it’s done in a similar way to Northland and Doncaster it’ll just be another shopping precinct with shiny floors and shiny rooms.”
