Alex Gochis, American by Choice

Alex Gochis

Whenever I have a meal at Fuller's Restaurant in downtown McCook, near the Railway Station, I cannot help but think of the man who built that building in 1922 -- Alex Gochis -- a fellow who proved that while all the American heroes of World War II did not wear a uniform, they certainly did contribute to Tom Brokaw's assessment of "The Great Generation. Under the name of "The Olympia" he operated a restaurant, candy, and liquor business there until 1967.

Alex was born in Sparta, Greece in 1897. In school he heard stories of America, and a dream took hold that someday he would own his own business in the United States. At age 13, though he spoke no English, he stowed away on a ship bound for America. He was discovered. After paying his passage, he arrived at Ellis Island with exactly eight cents in his pocket.

In New York he managed to exist for a time by sleeping in culverts and eating discarded bananas from the fruit carts. Soon he got a job on the New York Central Railroad, as a water boy. As soon as he had worked long enough to be awarded a railroad pass, he headed for the center of the United States, first to Chicago, then ending up in Kansas City, at the upscale Baltimore Hotel, where he landed a job as a bus boy. He worked hard and was dependable. He progressed rapidly from bus boy to dishwasher, then to waiter, in the fashionable Pompey Room of the hotel. This job not only earned him large tips and enabled him to save over $4000, it also afforded him time to learn to read and write in English.

After a time Alex pursued a lead on a business opportunity, which took him to Alliance, NE. There he took a job in a drug store. When the store owner was appointed Postmaster for the City of Alliance, Alex was promoted to manager of the store's soda fountain and lunch service. By 1917 Alex felt that he had acquired the experience and cash to go into business for himself. With a partner, another immigrant from Greece, Alex opened a candy store on West B St. in McCook. The store was successful -- enough so, that by 1922, Alex felt confident to build his own building -- the Olympia, on Main Street, near the depot. In the new location Alex expanded the business. He added a beautiful soda bar, and with the addition of homemade ice cream and a few snack items on the menu, he turned the new Olympia into a very upscale ice cream parlor and confectionary store. On the mezzanine there was a party room, which soon became a popular spot for birthday parties, office get togethers, and afternoon tea parties.

During the years leading up to and into World War II, Alex made a comfortable living making ice cream and candy, catering to young people as well as the "high society" matrons of McCook, with quiet parties. Alex was assisted by his wife, Wilhelminia, their four daughters, Jean, Mary, Suzanne, and Cathie (as they became old enough to work in the business), along with a crew that at times numbered as many as 17. At holiday time they were all extremely busy making up custom gift boxes of fine chocolates and hard candies.

During the 1930s there were a number of fine Greek specialty restaurants throughout Nebraska. (Growing up in Northeast Nebraska during the '30s I was most familiar with Trayno's in Norfolk and Petros in Fremont. No visit to those communities was complete without an ice cream soda or a fancy sandwich from those favorite spots). The Greek owners of these establishments were very close -- they referred to each other as "Cousin". There was not a great Greek population in Nebraska and these men clung fiercely to their heritage. They enjoyed getting together to hear and speak their native Greek language.

Although Alex was proud of his Greek heritage, he was first of all an American. He had become a naturalized citizen in 1929, and loved to point out to people that while they had been born Americans, he had become an American by choice.

When the airbase came to McCook during World War II, the nature of Alex Gochis' business took a major turn. The bus stop, for the bus traveling to and from the base, was at the foot of Main St. on B. St., almost at the Olympia's front door. Airmen arrived in McCook at the train station, across the street from the Olympia, and there was almost constant traffic in and out of the Ice Cream Parlor. But sugar was a rationed item and the making of candy became difficult. Also, the airmen quickly let Alex know that they preferred something stronger than cherry phosphates. Though he continued to make some candy, he reluctantly turned the Olympia into a bar and liquor store, which catered to airmen. It was a good business decision, and the new Olympia proved to be a very popular spot for airmen out for a good time

World War II also provided Alex with the opportunity to come to the aid of his adopted country. During WW I he was not yet an American citizen (he became a naturalized American citizen in 1929), and despite repeated attempts to join the Army in WW II, he was deemed too old to serve. Alex vowed that he would find a way to serve.

What Alex did was to become a "Super Patriot". Toward that end he took out paid ads in the Gazette. In one, two-page ad, Alex pictured President Roosevelt and his staff of Generals and Admirals. He listed the Red Willow County Honor Role of over 500 names. The names of 16 boys killed in action had a special place at the top of the ad.

In the body of the ad Alex wrote an open letter, "Greetings, Friends of this Community from 5 to 105 years old..." Alex reminded his readers of the sacrifices our boys were making and chided his readers who complained about the "inconveniences" we, at home, suffered from rationing, and not being able to buy everything we wanted.

But, most of all, Alex urged everyone to "Buy Bonds", to provide the means for America to wage the war against "our enemies". Early in the war Alex had petitioned the President for permission to Sell War Bonds. After repeated attempts, and with the help of the Nebraska delegation to Washington, he was given that permission and the Federal Seal to make it official. At the time, only Banks and Post Offices could sell War Bonds. Alex may have been the only individual in the US who was allowed to sell War Bonds.

And sell War Bonds he did. He and his waitresses pushed War Bonds with the same vigor that they did ice cream sundaes. He devised ways to make those purchases as easy as possible. For his efforts Alex received a special commendation from "A Grateful Nation".

Alex was also a major worker in the affairs of the community. He was active in the Masonic Lodge and Shrine, the Elks and the Eagles Lodges, the Episcopal Church, the YMCA and the Chamber of Commerce. He loved children and teen agers. Over the years he provided jobs for countless young people at the Olympia's Candy Kitchen. (On a personal note: In the early '60s, our family regularly ate Saturday lunches at the Olympia -- their Tomato Soup was outstanding. At the time we had two little girls. Alex would always come over to our booth to visit for a minute before we left, no doubt thinking of his own girls when they were that age. Our girls looked forward to the treat of a hand-dipped chocolate from Mr. Gochis.)

McCook College was important to Alex, even though he, himself, had only had an opportunity to attend school for a few years. He was an important figure in leading the drive for funds to build Brooks Hall, when that dormitory was first proposed. In addition to teaching the candy business to the young people who worked at the Olympia, he urged to them to attend college, and in many instances helped them by furnishing tuition money. He also worked out an arrangement with McCook High School, by which needy students would be identified and Alex would pay the college tuition for those students. Beau Gilbert, Alex' son-in-law said that public recognition was an embarrassment for Alex. He always requested that these gestures be kept secret, yet his works were widely recognized, not only for the important role he played in the war effort, but with numerous community citations he received in McCook. .

Alex was a man who fulfilled his dream -- He owned his own successful business in America. He achieved much, and because of him, McCook benefited much. His greatest pride was that he could call himself "An American". In turn, we all can be indeed proud that there were immigrants like Alex who chose to adopt America, and McCook, as their home.

Source: Gazette Archives