“G” is for Greeks. Greek immigrants began arriving in South Carolina at the turn of the twentieth century and they quickly found a niche as entrepreneurs within the service sector. Disdaining farm or mill labor, Greeks started out as pushcart merchants. Within a few years of their arrival, they were able to invest in storefront businesses such as confectionaries and restaurants. The Greek-owned restaurant was a common feature on the main street of many South Carolina cities and towns where busy New South workers could grab a quick lunch. By the 1930s Greeks were well established in middle-class suburban neighborhoods. The formation of permanent settlements resulted in the establishment of Greek Orthodox churches in the state’s major cities. The church became the center of Greek cultural and religious life for the immigrants as well as for successive generations.
"G” is for Greeks
