Peter Dikaios

Mr. Peter Dikaios owns and operates Java Blend Coffee Ltd. in Halifax. Having left his village in the Peloponnese, Mr. Dikaios reached Halifax in March 1961 through Pier 21. He was looking to build a better life for himself and to marry his fiancée who was already in Halifax. Here are his own words:

“When I first came to Canada, I worked in so many different jobs. For a time I had a share in the Spartan Restaurant and later sold furniture for a time. I was not happy being a salesman. One day in 1971 when I had dropped into Java Blend Coffee to buy some coffee, I asked the Greek owner, Mr. Sideris, why he didn’t consider selling the business, since he was obviously finding it very tiring. I didn’t think any more about the matter at the time, and went on my way. Some time later Mr. Sideris called me to say that Java Blend Coffee Ltd. was for sale, and that he wanted me to think about purchasing it. I didn’t know what to do. I had just brought some property, and I did not think I could afford more cash outlay. A good friend of mine, Rabbi Greenspan, advised me to gather more information about the operation of the business. When I had done that, Rabbi Greenspan took me to the Bank of Nova Scotia on Agricola Street and put the money I needed for the sale into my account. For a time he was the silent partner in the business. At the end of the first year we had made a modest profit, so I wrote out a cheque for 50% of the profit and gave it to my friend. He refused to take my cheque, saying that he had nothing to do with any business profits. Later when Rabbi Greenspan went to live in Toronto, he told me that Java Blend Coffee was entirely mine. Of course, I eventually paid him back, but I always remembered what a wonderful friend he had been, and how much faith he had in my ability.

In the beginning it was very difficult, because in addition to Java Blend Coffee I had two other businesses to look after. My wife and I were working every day from 7:00 in the morning until 11:00 at night. We had sent our children to Greece for two years to be cared for and in order for them to learn the Greek language and culture. Now things are better. My son Jim works with me in operating Java Blend Coffee. I enjoy meeting young men and women coming into the store for a coffee whom I used to see coming here as children with their parents years ago. I have more time for my family, and my wife and I can manage an occasional trip to Greece.

We stay involved with the Greek Church and the Greek people in Halifax. I enjoy the close ties of our Greek community here. Although I do miss the old St. George’s Church on Queen Street, I remember how we all worked so hard to build the new St. George’s. One year we stood for days in the rain, while we tried to sell Christmas trees as a fundraiser for the Church. We are always involved in the annual Greek Festival. I hope that the younger Greek Canadians in the area will gradually take on more of the work involved in the Festival. My son Jim has certainly made it important in his life over the last few years. We still have to be concerned about the ongoing church expenses. I hope that the young people will come to understand that those expenses mean a regular commitment to the life of the church. I have every confidence that they do understand.”