How Mike's Began

After WWII Michael ("AKA Mike") worked several years in the Floca candy factory, a very large factory in Salonika. He learned how to make Greek and European style chocolates and confections. He met his wife Anastasia "Anna" on the factory floor, when her hand got caught in a dangerous piece of equipment. She called out for help and he ran over and freed her hand. They were married in 1955.

In 1957, Michael and Anna, being very poor, immigrated to the United States, settling in Buffalo, New York with the help of Michael's aunt and cousin who had immigrated years before. This was a time when many poor Greeks moved to America, Canada and Australia, tens of thousands every year.