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History and Heritage 
Before the park and the current residential development were built, Walton Shopping Centre occupied this site. This neighbourhood shopping centre was home to a variety of businesses frequented by local residents and was a familiar part of the area.
Among these businesses was Athens Restaurant-Pizzeria, which holds a special place in the community’s collective memory.
Athens Restaurant-Pizzeria
Athens Restaurant-Pizzeria opened in 1970 at Walton Shopping Centre on Walton Avenue in Pointe-Claire.
In 1972, Athens was purchased by Maria, Harry and George Papadimitrios, who operated it together with their brother-in-law, Peter Apostolakos. All four were originally from Sparta, Laconia, Greece. Their dedication and warm hospitality helped make the restaurant a well-established part of neighbourhood life.
For several decades, Athens welcomed generations of families, neighbours and regular customers. People came not only to share a meal, but also to meet, talk and spend time together. Over the years, the restaurant became a familiar gathering place for many people in Pointe-Claire.
Athens remained at Walton Shopping Centre until it closed in 2016, after more than four decades as part of the neighbourhood’s commercial landscape.
Its closure marked the end of a long chapter, but memories of the restaurant, its owners and Walton Shopping Centre remain very much alive in the community.
Walton Shopping Centre
Athens was part of Walton Shopping Centre, a neighbourhood destination that played a longstanding role in the daily life of the community.
At a time when small shopping centres were closely connected to the residential neighbourhoods around them, Walton Shopping Centre was much more than a collection of businesses. It was a place where people did their shopping, ran into neighbours and got to know local merchants who became familiar faces over the years.
Although Walton Shopping Centre and its businesses are no longer part of the landscape, they live on in the memories of many people who lived and grew up in the area.
A Park That Preserves the Site’s History
The name Athènes Park maintains a connection with the history of the site and recalls the important place that Athens Restaurant-Pizzeria and Walton Shopping Centre once held in neighbourhood life.
It also recognizes the contribution of the Papadimitrios and Apostolakos families, who brought the restaurant to life for several decades and contributed to the commercial and social vitality of Pointe-Claire.
Today, Athènes Park gives this space a new purpose while keeping part of its history alive.
Its name creates a connection between past and present and helps pass on to future generations the memory of a place that held special meaning for the Pointe-Claire community.
Athens in Images and Memories
Videos produced over the years offer a glimpse of the restaurant, its atmosphere and the memories of people who contributed to its history.
The History of Athens Pizza in Pointe Claire
A look back at the history of Athens Restaurant-Pizzeria and its longstanding presence in the neighbourhood.
A Quick Lunch At Athens Pizza in Pointe Claire In 2007
Footage filmed in 2007 offers a glimpse of the restaurant in operation and its everyday atmosphere.
ATHENS PIZZERIA: An Interview with George
Endangered Stories by Jason Bolanis
An interview with owner George Papadimitrios and his son, Dimosthenis Papadimitrios, offering a look at the history of Athens through the memories and first-hand account of one of the people who helped bring it to life.
Retro MilkShakes at ATHENS PIZZERIA
Endangered Stories by Jason Bolanis
A look at the restaurant’s atmosphere and some of the simple pleasures that helped make the Athens experience memorable over the years.
The videos featured on this page were produced by third parties. They are provided as personal accounts and supplementary archival material and do not constitute content produced or endorsed by the City of Pointe-Claire.
