You'll see the connection between Zaharako and Trisler. The Dairy started in 1916 and the additions that created the Dairy Bar occurred in 1947. Gust Zaharako was willing to invest in modern cooling equipment to offer a better and safer product to his customers. The government was watching to keep the price from being too low! This family had some personal heartbreak as years have passed. You'll learn of the relationship of Gust and the brothers that ran the 'Greeks' on Washington Street. And last, you'll learn when the 718 Pearl Street store closed and the twenty-fifth store opened.
In an article appearing in April of 1950, it is stated that Mr. Gust Zaharako has been in the milk business since 1916 when he and Mrs. Zaharako lived in the county. Shortly after that, they moved the milk plant to 718 Pearl street, where it has been since. Gust was born in Sparta, Greece, May 19, 1892, Mr. Zaharako was the son of Manuel and Sophia Zaharako. He came to the United States to New York city at the age of seven and moved to Columbus in 1907. He married the former Laura Trisler March 19, 1911.
The Olympia Dairy information below is from the archives of The Republic in Columbus Indiana.In 1947 an addition was built to the plant, where milk products, sandwiches and other foods are sold. Mr. Zaharako has the help of his sons, George and Charles, in operating the plant, as well as other members of the family.
Local Dairyman Supplying Refrigerating Units to Producers. Seeking to provide better milk for his retail customers, Gust Zaharako of Olympia Dairy is installing mechanical coolers at the farms of his producers.
Through the Farmers Marketing association he has purchased 30 stainless steel mechanical milk coolers. Each electric cooler, which operates on the same principal as a refrigerator, will hold four 10-gallon cans of milk. A farmer-producer is provided one of the cooling machines as long as he sells his milk to the Zaharako dairy.
Fred Suhre, manager of the Farmer Marketing association, said that it was doubtful if any milk producer in the area had gone as far as Mr. Zaharako to get better milk for his retail customers.
Large Investment. Mr. Suhre pointed out that purchase of the cooling equipment represented a large investment for Mr. Zaharako, but will permit him to distribute to retail customers with a lower bacteria count. The warmer milk becomes, the faster bacteria will multiply in it. Most of the farmers have been selling water-cooled milk. Mr. Suhre said the public is demanding better products, and with the additional competition of oleo-margarine as a butter substitute, producers will have to improve their milk supply. Mr. Suhre said that pure food and drug laws were clamping down on food handlers, aiming at the goal of having their plants "as clean as the cleanest woman's kitchen."
June 5, 1940Hearing on Milk Control Law Violation Begins at Capital. A hearing on the action of the Milk Control Board of Indiana, seeking to repeal the milk license of Gust Zaharako, proprietor of the Olympia Dairy of Columbus, opened before that board in Indianapolis today. The hearing is on a complaint filed by Robert G. Smith, milk administrator for the Bartholomew county marketing area, charging Zaharako with violation of provisions of the state milk control law. Three local grocers, Harley H. Pittman, Maurice Frohman and William Battin, were summoned to testify before the board.
Zaharako is charged with selling milk below the fixed price to the groceries operated by the above. Zaharako went to Indianapolis accompanied by his attorney, A.T. Conner
From March 31, 1936Funeral services for Manuel Zaharako, 23, son of Mr. and Mrs. Gus Zaharako west of the city, who was fatally burned in an explosion at the Olympia dairy, were held yesterday afternoon at the Hathaway funeral home. Burial was made in Garland Brook cemetery.
From July 6, 1936 Roberta Louise, daughter born Friday night to Mrs. Verna Zaharako at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. S.E. Armstrong on Fourth Street, lived but a short time. Burial will be made Saturday in Garland Brook cemetery.
The babe is the daughter of the late Manuel Zaharako who was burned to death in an explosion at the Olympia dairy on Pearl Street last spring.
From May 26, 1969Gust M. Zaharako, 77, founder of the Olympia dairy at 718 Pearl street, died Sunday morning at the Bartholomew county hospital where he had been a patient for a week. He lived on Route 6 and had been in failing health the past three years.
Burial will be at Garland Brook cemetery.
The family has announced that the Dairy Bar at 718 Pearl street will be closed all day Wednesday but that milk deliveries will be made as usual. Mr. Zaharako founded the Olympia dairy in 1916 and now his two sons, George and Charles, run the business.
Surviving with his wife are his two sons, Charles T. Zaharako and George W. Zaharako; a daughter, Mrs. Roy Heagy; a half brother, James Lewis of New York City; 12 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a son, Manuel in 1936, a daughter, Mrs. Mary Rogers in 1950 and two half sisters.
Mr. Zaharako was a member of the Greek Orthodox church and was a first cousin to the Zaharako brothers who own and operate the Zaharako candy and ice cream store on Washington street.
From May 13, 1974Charles T. Zaharako, 57, a Bartholomew County farmer and dairyman, died early today at Bartholomew county hospital. He had been in failing health for two years. Burial will be at Garland Brook cemetery. The family suggests that memorials be in the form of contributions to the American Cancer society.
Zaharako was born July 24, 1916, in Bartholomew county to Gust M. and Laura Trisler Zaharako. He married Roselyn L. Brooks on Jan. 8, 1939.
He was a member of the Christian church, St. Johns Masonic lodge, the Scottish Rite and the Indianapolis Shrine and Commandery. He was past owner of the Olympia Dairy, 718 Pearl.
Surviving with his wife and his mother of Route 6, are a son, Charles H. Zaharako; one brother, George Zaharako; one sister, Mrs. Roy W. Hege; a grandson, Patrick W. Zaharako, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by an infant son and daughter and his father in 1969.
From June 25, 1981Funeral service for Roselyn L. Zaharako, 61, will be conducted Friday. Burial will be at Garland Brook Cemetery. A bookkeeper for Olympia Dairy for 40 years and the widow of Charles T. Zaharako who formerly owned the dairy, Mrs. Zaharako died unexpectedly Wednesday morning at her home.
She was born in Bartholomew County Sept. 7, 1919, the daughter of Harry Brooks Sr. and Grace Wagner Brooks. She was married to Zaharako Jan. 8, 1938, at Columbus, and he preceded her in death May 13, 1974. She was a member of First Christian Church.
Survivors include a son, Charles H. Zaharako; two grandchildren, Patrick and Mindy Zaharako, at home; four brothers, Willard and Robert Brooks of Columbus, Harry Brooks Jr. of Huntington and Clarence Brooks of Louisville; and her stepmother, Ida Brooks of Middleburg, Fla.
Memorials may be made to Hilltop Christian Service Camp through Reed and Jewell Funeral Home.
From October 6, 1981Laura T. Zaharako, 89, widow of Gus M. Zaharako, founder of Olympia Dairy, died at 4 p.m. Monday at Bartholomew County Hospital following a lengthy illness. Funeral service will be conducted at 1 p.m. Wednesday. Burial will be at Garland Brook Cemetery.
Mrs. Zaharako was born in Jackson County March 7, 1892, the daughter of Charles and Melissa Trisler. She was married to Zaharako March 16, 1911, at Columbus. He died May 25, 1969. She was a member of First Christian Church. Survivors include a son, George Zaharako, with whom she made her home, a daughter, Helen Heagy, 12 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson.
From July, 6, 1984Times Change And Olympia Dairy Store Is Moving by Kevin P. Kilbane
Staff Writer
Time and chance have a way of changing things.
"We had no intentions of ever selling this place and moving up there," co-owner George Zaharako said of Olympia Dairy Inc. at 718 Pearl. Saturday, the store closes for good and the family begins moving equipment and supplies to its new Olympia Dairy location at 25th Street and Home Avenue.
Zaharako said the family built the new store after no one expressed interest in buying its property at 25th and Home. Buildings there were destroyed in January 1982 explosion and fire.
The family planned to operate both stores until approached about selling the Pearl Street location to Rick Sprague of Sprague Co. Realtors and Developers. The company also owns a number of other properties in that area. After some thought, the family decided to sell and concentrate on the one store, Zaharako said. Sprague could not be reached Thursday afternoon or late this morning for comment on his plans for the property.
Zaharako hopes to reopen at the new location by the end of the month. The new store will offer the same items as the old store, including Esther Price chocolates and fresh-baked toll, cookies and other bakery items. The new store will be managed by Zaharako's son, John, who now manages the Pearl Street store. Zaharako's nephew, is the other partner in the operation, taking over his family's half of the business after the deaths of his father and mother.
Zaharako, 65, retired from the business about 3 years ago because he was not needed in its day-to-day operation and he wanted to spend time with his nine grandchildren. But he still stops in almost daily. "It's hard to stay away from a place you've been all your life," he added.
He started as a 10-year-old, working at the dairy his father, Gust, opened in the early 1900s. "I can just see him throwing that harness over that horse," he said of his father in the early days.
The business grew and the family opened the counter style dining area in 1947 and added on the larger dining area to the south in 1950. Children have always been a big part of the business, which is located across the street from Central Junior High School. "I guess about every kid in towns' been through here, he said.
Source: The Republic archivesSource of photos, CHS Log
? Know at the HS cafeteria my lunch would consist of a bowl of chili and a hot dog, all that I can remember eating at the Dairy was the wonderful pineapple sherbet. In looking back, I am seriously wondering just how 'eating out' was managed from my weekly allowance, or from my parents' food budget. BUT know that I did!!!!
