The city of Columbus is honoring the late Anthanasios “Tommy” Pappas with a commemorative street sign near his famous Tommy’s Diner in Franklinton.
Pappas died in December 2024, 35 years after he founded Tommy’s Diner in Franklinton.
“Tommy was and always will be a true Columbus legend, a singular force of nature whose warmth and generosity left an indelible mark on everyone,” Mayor Andrew J. Ginther said. “A master of connection, he never met a stranger.”
Pappas was a pillar of the community in Franklinton, Columbus and the local Greek community, city leaders said.
The city hung the red commemorative sign below the Jones Avenue sign at an event on June 12 attended by Pappas’ extended family and a large crowd of diner regulars. The sign, marking a side street, is near the diner’s location at 914 W. Broad St.
“We do more than just unveil a sign; we celebrate a life that helped shape Franklinton,” said Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin. “Tommy came to this country from Greece carrying little more than a dream and a tireless work ethic.”
Pappas brought with him his culture, his traditions, his faith and his food and he didn’t just keep it for himself, Hardin said.
Pappas’ sons, Louie and Michael, spoke at the event and both thanked city leaders for the sign.
“My dad, I don’t think he ever really realized how much of an impact he had on people, on the community,” Michael Pappas said.
Michael Pappas said his father was a genuine and authentic person.
“If we had approached him a year ago and told him they’re going to rename Jones Avenue after you, I really think the first question he would’ve asked is why. But then I think he would’ve followed that up with, ‘why not West Broad Street?'”
Commemorative signs don’t officially rename streets; that requires a petition process and street residents voting. Commemorative signs like this one are usually left up for about a year, but since this was something the mayor wanted, the sign will likely be left up longer, Columbus Director of Public Service Kelly Scocco told The Dispatch.
Government and Politics Reporter Jordan Laird can be reached at jlaird@dispatch.com. Follow her on X, Instagram and Bluesky at @LairdWrites.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus, mayor honor Tommy Pappas, the late founder of Columbus’ legendary Tommy’s Diner
Reporting by Jordan Laird, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
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