A little bit of Greek, a lot of Bosnian

She came to America for the freedom, which now includes a business.

By JODIE TILLMAN, Times Staff Writer
Published August 23, 2007

ADVERTISEMENT [Times photo: Stephen J. Coddington] Earlier this year, Sandra Bratic opened Little Greek restaurant on Little Road, an eatery that is packed at lunchtime with government workers, retirees, construction workers. She grew up in Bosnia and came here with her family in 1994 as a refugee.

Sandra Bratic runs Little Greek, an ethnic eatery that has drawn a steady crowd of regulars since opening in the Shoppes at Golden Acres last October.

The restaurant business - and Greek food - were both new pursuits for her.

She grew up in Bosnia, where her mother was a history professor and her father was a professional track and field coach. She studied to be a math teacher, but she and her husband, Sam, fled the war-torn country in 1994 and arrived in Florida as refugees.

Now the couple lives in Palm Harbor with their two sons, ages 8 and 10. Sam is a researcher for Merck, and Sandra co-owns Little Greek in Port Richey with friend Sigrid Tedremets, who also owns Happy Greek in Pinellas County, which has an identical menu.

Why'd you open Little Greek in Pasco County?

Just that this area is growing more. We were just looking for a place that will grow, not a place that was already established.

What brought you to Florida from Bosnia?

My husband's cousin lived here. We were adopted by a church Good Shepherd Episcopal in Dunedin.

(Partner Sigrid Tedremets) is Estonian, you're Bosnian. How do you end up with a Greek restaurant?

Well, she worked for a long time in a Greek restaurant. ... She knew how to prepare everything. I worked at her restaurant to learn.

When I decided to be a partner with her, I was in a completely different business. I did quality control for a company that makes contact lenses. She just wanted someone to help her.

Why did you make the leap from quality control to running a restaurant?

Well, I was kind of tired with the other job. I like people and wanted to be with other people.

What's your biggest seller?

Gyro or chicken souvlaki or Greek salad. Baklava is very popular.

Have you had people who go to both restaurants?

Yes, we have some people who work near (Happy Greek) and go there for lunchtime but live here (in Pasco County) and come here for dinner.

Running your own business is kind of an American dream.

Yes, but we came here for the other dream. It was the dream of being free.

Jodie Tillman, Times Staff Writer

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About this feature

Pasco People spotlights the people who make Pasco County the kind of community it is. Got someone you think we should profile? E-mail us at pasco@sptimes.com.

[Last modified August 22, 2007, 21:11:00]