Photo by Asha Bey
Beeliner Diner's Markos Panas talks about the importance of community.
On a bustling Thursday evening at Beeliner Diner, we had a moment to sit down and chat with Markos Panas, the co-founder and co-owner of the restaurant to learn more about how this vibrant eatery has grown into a community staple.
Beeliner Diner opened its doors in March 2022 as a way for Panas and his partners to provide delicious meals and caring customer service to people who make up the Alexandria community. Today, business owners, families, tourists and anyone else who loves a tasty meal and satisfied sweet tooth finds themselves indulging in the meals made at Beeliner Diner.
The Chamber ALX (the city's Chamber of Commerce) recently awarded Beeliner Diner the 2024 Rising Star Business of the Year in recognition of their positive impact on the community.
In this Q&A, Markos shared his journey in the restaurant industry, what it means to serve the Alexandria community and what’s next in store for Beeliner Diner.
When did you get started in the restaurant industry?
I was born into it. My father owned several restaurants and bakeries when I was a kid, and from a very young age, restaurants and food were an integral part of family life. I grew up in and around kitchens, cooking meals before I was tall enough to see the burners.
Photo by Asha Bey
Markos Panas with one of Beeliner Diner's famous cakes.
As a kid, what did you love most about helping your dad at his restaurants and bakeries?
I loved what food meant in our household, first. Barbeques, picnics, holidays, food and adventures abroad… There was joy and celebration in great meals with family and friends and that translated directly into the restaurants and bakeries that made up the family business. Being in the orbit of so many professionals working to execute good food and service was extremely rewarding. I loved learning about food and how people connected to it and I ended up learning so many facets of this business in turn. It was amazing to experience family, food, friends and work all together.
When did you decide to enter the restaurant industry as an owner?
I hadn’t envisioned getting into the restaurant industry myself despite experience in the service industry and having co-owned a bar in Mykonos. I pursued art and attended the San Francisco Art Institute and Pratt in New York for my Bachelor’s and Master’s in Fine Arts. After graduating, I returned to the area to help my dad with his wholesale bakery and to lead and grow our presence in local farmers markets. I loved the human connection centered on food and that I was really good at it. I dove into opening Bread & Water Company, seeing it as something that would bring my love of food to life for the community at large. Fast forward and with the help of my partners Noelie Rickey, Doug Abedje and so many others, our burger concept Bun Papa and Beeliner Diner came to life.
How did you create the name and concept for Beeliner Diner?
Noelie was the inspiration behind Beeliner. For years, we’d talk about what matters most to us in restaurants and we’d always land on the importance of customers feeling genuinely valued and welcome. She’d recount her experiences as a kid in Seattle going to a place called Beeliner Diner that had closed decades before and had always made her feel so welcome. One day, years ago, she came to me and said the address www.beelinerdiner.com was available, that she’d bought it and “maybe one day we’ll do the diner.” Well, we ended up doing it!
Beeliner Diner opened shortly after COVID when a lot of restaurants had to close. Did you experience any hurdles?
So many. This space became available during COVID and it was such an undertaking for us. We bootstrapped everything and it cost so much more money and time than anticipated. That and so much was new for us. We didn't have menus figured out, we didn't have trained staff, we didn't have protocols, we hadn’t done full service, there was no marketing let alone a marketing team… none of that stuff.
It was Noelie, Doug, Chef Patrick and I and support from Bread & Water which just so happened to be left with almost no adult supervision because you can’t be in two places at once, and here we’d taken this huge 5,100 square feet space and just ripped it open and pushed it through into a vibrant and beautiful space. It was trial by fire, but we did it and we’ve been learning and applying lessons ever since. I knew what a life-changing decision opening this would be and I took the simple fact it was located across the street from where I’d grown up in Fairlington as a sign. That gave me the extra courage to say “Yeah, I’m in, let’s do this”.
When you say courage, what fears did you have to overcome?
We were in the midst of COVID and we were betting not only it would end but that we'd be able to afford to get through to the other side. The buildout was a fortune and so was the rent. Where were we going to get staff and how would we train them? Would the community give us a chance and enough leeway for us to come into our own? There were so many unknowns, no cushion for failure and I felt everything I’d built so far was on the line. Ultimately, I bet on us — my partners and team and myself to build something successful over the long haul because opening wasn’t going to be pretty.
You opened several businesses in the Alexandria area; what do you enjoy most as a resident and business owner?
I love Alexandria. I am so honored and grateful to be a part of it. It took me years to begin to understand what community means and that's what I am working to build now. I love being part of something bigger than myself and I love the connections, the forged relationships and all the ways we support each other. Now we have a pet store called The Dog Park in Old Town which I couldn’t have imagined not long ago. Alexandria has been instrumental in giving me opportunities to learn and grow and I hope to keep giving it my best in return.
Beeliner Diner won the 2024 Rising Star of the Year Award from The Alexandria Chamber of Commerce. What did that mean to you and your team?
It was a profound moment for us. I was so proud of our team and all of our efforts and I was equally moved by the feeling of appreciation back from this community we’ve been working so hard to serve well. It’s so cool its for “Rising Star” because rising star doesn’t say we're the best. It doesn't say we have it all figured out. What it says is, what we're doing is on the right path and to keep it up. We're rising, right? We're rising to shine a bit, and that's amazing, because that's an active thing — that's a process. So when the community comes out and votes and says “Hey, we see you. We see what you're doing and we appreciate you.” That's heartfelt across the entire team.
With opening different businesses in Alexandria - how does it feel to know that you're creating opportunities for people to have jobs, provide for their families and purpose their own passions?
It’s the best thing ever. Again, it comes back to community and getting to build for more than oneself. Our team is family. And our responsibility as owners is to do our best to create a caring, quality and supportive environment.
The Alexandria community is so diverse. How does Beeliner Diner’s menu appeal to different customers who have different diet restrictions?
There are vegetarian and vegan options and while it’s our take on a diner, we like to get creative and keep in mind the people who we’re serving. We try to keep the menu diverse and we’re constantly improving.
What attracts people to Beeliner Diner?
Breakfast, lunch and brunch of course. Bingo Thursdays is quite a thing here. The bartenders are hollering out winners and prizes and the whole place activates with adults, kids and families cheering and playing along. Birthdays are a big thing especially with our huge cake slices. And then we have all the people coming from church or celebrating anniversaries or loved ones’ achievements like graduations. We’ve got business groups and we host breakfasts and luncheons, school fundraisers, tons of post sports games meals. We showed the Olympics, World Series, March Madness…We’ve even hosted a knitting group.
What does becoming a staple in the community look like?
It looks like regulars and families that become like family, themselves. It looks like hosting community events with business neighbors, our schools and the community at large. It looks diverse and it looks like people smiling and enjoying each other's company while they scarf down good eats. It looks like Beeliner Diner.
What’s your favorite meal on the menu?
The Reuben. I judge a diner by it’s Reuben. Its really hard to find a great Reuben and ours is kick-ass. We even make the bread ourselves.
What is a community favorite on the menu?
Everything breakfast, to start. That’s our omelets and breakfast burritos, French toast, chicken and waffles… you name it.
Any advice for someone else looking to open a restaurant in Alexandria?
I would say make a good product and be kind to people. Spend less money than you bring in, haha, and know that the lessons in business aren’t just for your business life. That and continue growing and learning everywhere you can, personally.
I want to give a HUGE shoutout to my tremendous team at Beeliner Diner - Ms. Nikita, my partners Doug and Noelie, Chef Patrick, my brother Christian and all the FOH and BOH. We wouldn't exist without our team!
