ATHENS – Vassilis Varsos, who died on Tuesday night, was the grandson and namesake of the founder of the historic cafe ‘Varsos’ in 1892 in Athens which developed into a beloved confectioner’s in the suburb of Kifissia.

The Varsos confectionery began in 1892 when the founder of the company left Kastriotissa Fokidas, central Greece, with his brother and moved to Athens.

In 1910, Varsos flourished as it employed 24 staff and had one of the largest refrigerators of the time, featuring 20 ice blocks.

In 1922 the business relocated to the center of the affluent northern suburb of Kifissia, where it became a favorite source of sweets for residents of greater Athens and beyond.

In 1965, Vassilis Varsos and his brother George took over the company’s management and expanded the business, while in the years 1967-1968 they upgraded the company’s equipment, thus improving even further both production efficiency and final product.

In 1980 Varsos Company was the first in Greece to install a microbiological laboratory to aid production, while in 1992 Varsos celebrated 100 years of business success.

Varsos is now one of the most emblematic coffee and dessert shops in greater Athens, having served generations of clients for 128 years and counting.

In a statement, the Kifissia Traders Association “expresses the deep sorrow of its members for the loss of its prominent and dear member, Vassilis Varsos, and extends its sincere condolences to the family of the deceased.” It further noted how Varsos was “known and loved in the community of Kifissia as a great businessman, a wonderful family man, and a beloved fellow citizen, and he will be sorely missed.”

Varsos’ funeral service will take place at 2:00 pm on Friday (Jan. 17), at the Church of St. Demetrios of Kifissia.