Lowell joint throws goat-meat party for Kenyan patrons
Maria Kozombolis (second left), manager of the Captain John's bar and grille in Lowell, Mass., together with Kenyan patrons and a friend celebrate with Kenyan made tusker beer during an appreciation party for Kenyans.Pic by H.Maina/Ajabu Africa
By Harrison Maina, AjabuAfrica.com, Posted: April 3, 2012
LOWELL, Mass., A Lowell joint that attracts a large number of Kenyan patrons held an appreciation party for it’s loyal customers, preparing a whole goat complete with other Kenyan traditional side dishes like chapati, boiled potatoes and a variety of fixings.
To add the icing to the cake, siblings sister Maria Kozombolis, and brother Nicholas Kozombolis, who inherited the restaurant from their Greek born father, spiced it with the overall popular Kenyan beer Tusker.
The event took place at the club located on 333 Westford st in Lowell.
Word had gone out that Captain John’s was going to appreciate the business brought by Kenyans in more than 2 decades since settling in the mill city.
Characterized by the popular saying that " no hurry in Africa" the party scheduled to kick of from 4.30 pm , so a large number of Kenyans and their families trickle in all the way up to mid night hrs after the goat meat was over.
“We had a really good time here today. we had our whole family Nick, I and our senior citizen mother, cooked a whole goat, cut it up, and added some streamed potatoes, tomatoes and other fixings. We had a Kenyan lady make and deliver some Chapati (kenyan bread) and we shared everything with our Kenyan patrons,” said Maria while speaking to Ajabu Africa news on the scene.
Impressed by the large number of Kenyans and their families who attended the party earlier in the day, Maria said that she was glad everyone had a nice time.
“Kenyans are the most family oriented people I have ever met. We share a lot in common culturally from pit latrines to eating lamb and goat meat in my motherland,” added the entrepreneur who loves ethnic food and experiences. The kenyans who were still whetting their throats long after the goat eating party was over said that they were very pleased for the gesture extended by Maria and Captain John’s management.
The joint is colloquially referred to as makutano junction or simply Kwa Maria ( Maria's place).
Gatimu Mwaniki from Plano, TX, who joined Kenyans in Lowell for the Kenyan appreciation party holds a Kenyan made Tusker beer together with Maria Kozombolis.
“We feel at home when we meet here. We speak the same language, share a lot of what is going on politically and socially as we relax,” said Henry Karuoya, an elder among Kenyans who patronize Captain John’s.
“Maria is so nice to us and she serves us as we Kenyans would like to be served,” he added.
According to Maria, Kenyans contribute about 20% of all the sales done at Captain John’s at any one time.
Many Kenyans come to relax here after hard day’s work. They are very polite people and very royal.
We love Kenyans very much and we appreciate their business,” added Maria as she posed for pictures with Kenyans who sipped onto their favorite Tusker drinks with satisfied looks.
