The Legacy of George Chumas Continues: Greek Businessman and Pillar of the Community Honored

Ward County’s new administration building had it’s formal dedication just last week where the plaza area was named Chumas Plaza.

The plaza was named after Greek-born George Chumas who spent the better part of his lifetime giving to the community of Minot as a well-respected businessman as well as philanthropist.

The Story of George Chumas

Mr. Chumas was born in Greece in Kastania on October 23, 1931, to parents Spiros and Stella. At a young age he was to be adopted by his aunt and uncle who lived in the U.S. in order to have a chance at a better life, however, WWII began and the adoption process stalled. Instead, Mr. Chumas moved to Larissa with his family where he worked in a coffee shop by day and studied business school at night.

Much changed for the young man in 1951 when he finally got the chance to go to the U.S. to live with his aunt and uncle in Minot, North Dakota.

He worked at Liberty Grocery which was opened by his grandfather, George Pappagiannis, back in 1905. The store was the first Greek business in Minot.

Over the years he became an accomplished store manager and owner, as he bought a super market called Minot Food Store from Ted Pedas in 1964.

He ran the store successfully over the years and became known as a pillar in the community. In 2005 Mr. Chumas sold the store and surrounding parcels to Ward County for a needed county building; the Ward County buildings.

The Making of a Local Legacy

Mr. Chumas was also known as a philanthropist, donating his time to promote education, athletics and dancing at St. Mary’s and St. Peter’s Orthodox Church fundraisers. He received recognition from his community over the years and was dubbed “The Tootsie Roll King” as he was a long-time Minot State University booster and could often be seen at games and events passing out Tootsie Rolls to fans.

This latest honor, the naming of Chumas Plaza is just one more testimony to the life of George Chumas, as the building sits on the land he sold in 2005, where Minot Food Store once sat. The dedication of Chumas Plaza was a joyous occasion of reflection and remembrance and of course, Tootsie Rolls were in abundance at the dedication.

Always close to his Greek roots, Mr. Chumas often returned to Greece and saw that his children grew up going to his homeland each summer. On November 10, 2006 he passed away at a hospital in Greece.