George Samaras’ entrepreneurial success story is among the most unique you’ll find. A pharmacist in his native Athens, Greece, he came to America – Tucker, Georgia, to be exact – and decided to make high-quality ceramic grills. Nearly a quarter-century later, he’s running one of the most successful businesses in Tucker.
“I developed one product and then started going around to find distributors,” Samaras recalls of the early days, adding he was just trying to gain a foothold in the southeast region. “Now, we are manufacturing here in Tucker and exporting to about 40 countries around the world.”
The grills, which can cook everything from meats to breads, even vegetables and pizzas, are a source of pride for Samaras. When talking about his product line, he eschews modesty.
“We have the best ceramics,” he explains. “We are the best kept secret in the industry. We are the only ones who actually make and sell our product.”
Primo Grills has two “busy seasons” which run from May to mid-July (Memorial Day, Father’s Day and Independence Day) and through November and December (Thanksgiving and Christmas). Those busy times don’t bother Samaras who, when he re-located the business seven years ago to its current facility on Montreal Industrial Way, did so with his commute in mind.
“I live six minutes from here,” he says. “With all this [Metro Atlanta] traffic, it really is the best reason.”
Customers can find more information on Primo Grills, accessories and cookbooks at www.primogrills.com or Samaras offers tours of his showroom at 3289 Montreal Industrial Way.
