Code,999043
Subject,Steve Dimotsis
Date,6/9/2008
Interviewer,"Erin Bell, James Calder"
Abstract,"In this 2007 interview, Steve Dimotsis (b. 1952 in Greece) describes his life, Cleveland's Downtown scene over the years, and his experiences owning and managing Otto Moser's Restaurant.  Mr. Dimotsis talks about the history of the restaurant--its founder, immigrant Otto Moser, and the original location of the restaurant on East 4th Street across from the Cleveland Opera House.  Dimotis also describes the celebrity photo collection of Otto Moser, a part of which he owns today.  Dimotsis, who grew up in the Tremont neighborhood after his parents immigrated to the U.S. in the 1950s, talks about Tremont--especially the churches of Tremont.  Finally, Dimotis talks about restaurants of Downtown Cleveland, past and present, and the struggles small business owners face in Downtown Cleveland."
Special Notes,"Otto Moser, Central market,  E 4th, Cleveland Opera House, Play House square, Euclid Avenue, shopping, restaurants, Arena,"
minutes:,
0,Born in Greece; immigrated to US in 1955; father and he bought Otto Moser Restaurant in 1977.  Short bio of Otto Moser.  Location of original restaurant on E. 4th street across from Cleveland Opera House on Euclid and 4th.
1,Celebrity photo collection of Otto Mosher.
2,
3,Vaudeville at the Cleveland Opera House.
4,Food at the Restaurant - today v. the early days.
5,"Otto smoking ham in the basement of his restaurant.  In the 1950s, corned beef substituted."
6,Impact of Euclid Corridor project on businesses along Euclid Avenue.
7,Interviewee's hopes for Euclid Avenue in the future.
8,Description of Euclid Avenue and the shopping district in the 1970s.  Description of Central Market off of E. 4th Street.
9,
10,Changes in Cleveland from 1970s to the year 2000.
11,Why businesses left Cleveland in this period.
12,Restoration of Theaters at Play House Square.
13,Restaurants in Cleveland--small restaurants v. corporate restaurants.
14,
15,Impact on anti-smoking laws on his restaurant.
16,
17,Why he moved restaurant from E. 4th Street in 1994.
18,"Returned to ""historic roots"" near theaters."
19,Description of Central Market (where Progressive Field is now).
20,Relocation of the Central Market to a location east of original site.
21,Growing up in a Greek neighborhood in Tremont.
22,Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church.  Moved to Parma in 1966; went to Parma High School.
23,Description of Orthodox liturgy.  His description of churches in Tremont.  Religious procession of Epitaphs in Tremont on Good Fridays.
24,
25,
26,Comparing current layout of restaurant to layout of restaurant on E. 4th.
27,Photo of W. C. Field - favorite from photo collection.
28,100-year old glass in the restaurant - wavy.  W.C. Fields started as a juggler.
29,More discussion of photo collection of Otto Moser.
30,
31,Discussion of typical hours for downtown Cleveland restaurants.
32,Cleveland nightlife.
33,The Hippodrome movie theater
34,His memories - seeing Ben Hur.  Downtown busy in the 1950s and 1960s.
35,Meeting Mr. Jingaling.  Impact of suburban malls on Downtown.
36,Story of driving to Columbus on St. Patrick's Day in 1994 (new restaurant location) to get liquor license.
37,Impact of moving St. Patrick's Day parade to Superior Avenue on his business.
38,His plea to bring the parade back to Euclid Avenue.  Greek Independence Day Parade in the 1990s.
39,Alpine Village - chairs and tables went to Otto Mosers.
40,Other historic restaurants in Downtown Cleveland - Swingo's Keg and Quarter.
41,Modern habit to eat out at restaurants frequently.
42,
43,Impact of fuel charges on his business.  Increases in food prices.
44,
45,Renaissance of Cleveland in the 1990s - relates to the Indians.
46,
47,His memories of the Arena.  Description of the ramps and tunnels.
48,
49,END OF CLIP.
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