After over five decades of serving good meals and even better smiles, a beloved waitress at a well-known Erie diner is hanging up her apron.
Eleanor Mello, known to everyone as Ellie, is retiring after 51 years at Panos’ Restaurant. Today marks her final day on the job.
To celebrate her incredible career, the community came together to honor her with a heartfelt sendoff. From the moment you walked into Panos, you could feel the love Ellie has shared with customers and coworkers over the years, and the appreciation being returned.
“I appreciate everything and every one of you. I love you all,” Ellie said during the celebration.
The event highlighted just how much she’s meant to the people around her. Ellie stated she wouldn’t change a thing about her time at the restaurant.
“I wouldn’t have changed one day. If I had to do it again, it would all be the same,” she said.
Ellie started waiting tables as a teenager, and over the decades, those daily interactions turned into lifelong friendships.
“We were very close friends for almost 50 years, and I wish her the best,” said friend Lou Calliadi. “I hope all her dreams come true now that she can retire.”
For many customers, Ellie was part of their daily routine. Walking away from those relationships is the hardest part of retirement.
“She became like family to so many people,” said Stephanie Logue. “That’s the part she never really prepared for.”
“I’m taking all of it with me,” Ellie said. “But I’m leaving my customers behind, my bosses, my friends, my coworkers.”
The restaurant’s owner says Ellie has been part of his life since the very beginning.
“She was one of the people holding me as a baby,” said owner Evan Legace. “I was crawling on these floors, and she always looked after me.”
As Ellie begins this next chapter, she says she’ll miss her customers most, but she’s grateful for every moment spent at Panos and the community that made it feel like home.