The Maroules Family And
Christopher's Fine Foods
By Bonnie Edwards
Olde Kinston Gazette

Christopher's Fine Foods at 217 North Queen Street in Kinston, established by Chris Maroules, Sr. in 1969, hasn't changed much. The menu of down home Southern style country cooking is basically the same, except for some low-fat, heart-healthy selections that have been added.

The Maroules family has been in the food service business in downtown Kinston more than 60 years. Chris Jr.'s grandfather Spero immigrated from Greece in the early 1900s unable to speak a word of English. But he could "cook and count," says Chris Jr.

Chris Jr.'s grandfather established quite a large family with 10 children, and his son Chris Sr. became involved in the family business.

Spero ran a restaurant across from the Lenoir County Courthouse called the Busy Bee Café. The little table service and counter operation was very busy, says Chris Jr., especially during the World War II era. It was open 24 hours a day, every day of the week.

The little café remained quite a "hot spot" until Spero's death in 1960. It closed not long after that.

Chris Sr. ran Green's TV on North Queen Street for a while. Eventually, in 1969, he decided to take a chance. He got back into the restaurant business in the circa 1895 building next door and opened Christopher's Fine Foods.

The little building had at one time been used as a post office, and at another time was a restaurant owned by a Greek gentleman, Guss Balaffus.

The restaurant prospered, with much repeat business. Today, Chris Jr. says 75 percent of the customers are "regulars."

Chris Jr. has been on board 18 years, and he thinks one thing that has made the family business so successful is the employees they have been fortunate to find. "They're excellent quality people," he said. "In the kitchen, everyone combined has more than 100 years experience in the food service business. We have several people who have been here 20 years."

The Christopher's Fine Foods family includes Mattie Swinson-20 years; Rose Turnage-20 years; Morning Manager Annie Davis-18 years; Gloria Skinner-12 years; Lee Hollowell-more than 10 years; Virginia Starkey-approximately 10 years; Linda Neal-more than six years; Evening Kitchen Manager Donnie Hines-five years (with 25 years food service experience); Night Dining Room Manager Janet Jackson-three years; and Salad Maker Alice Hardy-more than two years.

Chris Jr. says the restaurant's success has been due to the team effort, and he feels lucky to have people who work together so well with so much food service experience.

Chris Sr.'s philosophy has been a simple one: "Treat everyone the way you want to be treated regardless of race, beliefs or economic background, and tend to your own damned business and you'll have all you can handle."

Especially this time of year, Christopher's Fine Foods has all the business they can handle - especially with the catering of parties (Call 527-3716 or 527-5046). But the family does a lot of catering all year, not just during the holidays. As a matter of fact, Christopher's Fine Foods feeds the Kinston Indians their post game meals during baseball season. Chris Sr. and Jr. both attribute their success to a lot of hard work..

Chris Jr. and his wife Louise have three children: Nicholas, age 15; Jordan, age 13; and Matthew, age 11. "They're three fine children," said Chris Jr. "All are active in church and scouts, participate in sports, and I hope some day they will all become actively involved in the business."