Greeks at home on Aquidneck Island

This is the second of an eight-part series looking at various ethnic groups that helped build Aquidneck Island's past and will help shape its future. June's installment focused on the Hispanic community. Today: the Greek community.

Peter and Harry Kyriakides remember the day they first laid eyes on Johnny's Atlantic Beach Club. As they drove into the parking lot of the restaurant on Purgatory Road in Middletown, they knew this was it - the place that would change it all. But they also knew that would not happen without hard work, something for which the brothers and their Greek ancestors are known. Today, nearly 30 years later, the beach club has shortened its name, but not its reputation. It's known as a place to get a high-quality meal or socialize with friends over a Red Sox game in the bar. The brothers also run several successful hotels in the area and are planning a major renovation to one of them.

But that's not the thing of which they are most proud. Rather, the Kyriakides say they're happy they've been accepted into the community and feel like they've made a positive change as a part of Aquidneck Island.

Read more at > TRACING OUR ROOTS: Greeks at home on Aquidneck Island