LYNN — Two businesses were honored by the City Council Tuesday night for feeding volunteers at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Thaer “Joe” S. Demaidi, owner of Alfredo’s Italian Kitchen, and George Markos, owner of Brothers Deli, were honored at the City Council meeting as “true Lynn community leaders,” according to Ward 6 Councilor Fred Hogan.
City Council President Darren Cyr said that both men have been always there for the community no matter what the need is, feeding people on Thanksgiving or at a fire.
“Always helping out,” Cyr said.
Last year, when the city was facing the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and Cyr and Hogan reached out to the business community, Demaidi and Markos stepped right up, Cyr said.
Three shifts of volunteers worked every day at the Salvation Army and throughout the city, Cyr said, and these two restaurants fed them lunches and dinners.
“The food was unbelievable,” Cyr said. “On behalf of the citizens and City Council, I say ‘thank you.’”
“We gonna stick together, we gonna beat it together and we gonna make it together,” said Markos.
Hogan spoke about Alfredo’s Italian Kitchen.
“This is a Ward 6 business, but this guy is all about Lynn,” Hogan said.
Hogan shared that Demaidi calls if there is a fire and offers help and delivers pizzas for the affected residents and first responders. He has donated to sports teams and stepped up in other ways, Hogan said.
Accepting the citation, Demaidi’s wife, Sara Demaidi, said that they are very humbled by this recognition.
“We consider ourselves incredibly lucky and privileged to be part of such an amazing community,” Sara Demaidi said.
She acknowledged the support their business received from the city during the last eight years and during the pandemic.
“When the restaurants were closing left and right, we were one of the few that managed to stay open and that was thanks to your continued love and support,” said Sara Demaidi. “We hope you know that our commitment to the city is unwavering.”
