Aristomenis (Menios) Spiropoulos, the man behind Athena Cake Shop in Marrickville, Sydney, passed away on Wednesday, June 26.
Aristomenis, alongside his late wife Athena, ran the iconic pastry shop on Illawarra Road for decades.
His love for pastries started when he was 12 years old, working in Nikolaos Karavitis’ cake shop in Patras before he and Athena established their own cake shop, Astoria, in Nafpaktos years later.
Aristomenis, Athena and their two children Efy and Kosmas migrated to Australia in 1969. Aristomenis’ first job was in the ‘Glass Factory’ and he also worked in an oil factory as well as the Hellenic Bakery (called Artos Bakery at the time).
Within four years, the Spiropoulos family bought the premises on Illawarra Road, Marrickville, to establish a cake shop. Aristomenis decided to call the cake shop, Athena Cakes, after his wife.
Over 45 years, Athena Cake Shop had been through a few renovations. Aristomenis and Athena retired, and Efy and her husband Christos ran the business until recently.
Aristomenis is survived by his two children and their respective families. Athena passed away on Friday, January 12 this year at the age of 89.
 Spiropoulos, the man behind Athena Cake Shop in Marrickville, Sydney, passed away on Wednesday, June 26.){kind=link}