The Opera House

At the age of 22, Athena Ellinas-Towers was an understimulated, over-experienced server at her family’s Danforth Restaurant. Her older brother Gus had just invested in a Toronto nightclub and she wanted to try something new, something a little more challenging.

Formerly known as the Acropolis, the Dundas and Cinema Ellas, the historic La Plaza Theatre went on the market in 1989 and Athena jumped at the opportunity to help her brother breathe life into one of Canada’s oldest Vaudeville theatres.

“I helped him execute his vision,” she says, explaining her role as Opera House general manager of facilities — a job that has proved to be both rewarding and challenging over the years. In the heart of little-known Queen Broadview Village (at that time), Athena has had the opportunity to accommodate all kinds of up-and-comers on their way to fame.

“We were fortunate to have a full calendar of all the grunge bands that came through at that time,” she says.