For more than six decades, a corner of West Columbia has been known for fried chicken and soft serve. 

But for many in the Midlands, it was just as well known for the man behind the counter. 

The late Gus Manos, longtime owner of Zesto, is being remembered by family, employees and customers as a larger-than-life presence who helped shape the community around him. 

“Dad was a guy that — his personality was bigger than life, and when he entered a room, he had this presence about him,” said Pete Manos, Gus Manos’ son and current owner of the restaurant. 

Regular customer Beverly Kelly said Manos’ impact stretched far beyond the counter. 

“He cared about people. He cared about what he could do for people,” Kelly said. “He did an awful lot for the area, and he was always kind and thoughtful.” 

Marie Lucas, who worked at the restaurant for 33 years, said Manos made it a point to be present every day. 

“So right here is a booth he sat at every morning and every day,” Lucas said. “He would sit here because he could see everyone and see us up front and everything.” 

Now, community leaders are working to ensure his legacy extends beyond the restaurant’s iconic cone. 

State Rep. Micah Caskey has introduced legislation to rename a portion of 12th Street in Manos’ honor. The proposal would designate the stretch from Knox Abbott Drive to Jarvis Klapman Boulevard as “Gus Manos Memorial Street.” 

“I think there’s only so many opportunities for the community to memorialize and remember the people that have contributed to our community,” Caskey said. “And I don’t think there’s anybody that I’ve ever encountered that deserved it more than Gus Manos.” 

Pete Manos said he hopes the street sign will remind drivers of his father’s spirit. 

“They’re going to remember his smiley face,” he said. 

Supporters say the designation would serve as a lasting tribute to a businessman who treated customers like family and turned a neighborhood restaurant into what many describe as one big Greek family. 

The proposal has passed the South Carolina House and now heads to the South Carolina Senate for consideration. If approved, that section of 12th Street would be officially renamed in his honor. 

More information about the bill is available on the South Carolina Legislature website.