Overview

C.L. Boulos arrived from Greece without inherited capital, education, or social standing. During his life - operating entirely on a combination of supreme conviction, entrepreneurial instinct, and hard work - he became one of the most consequential independent business owners and community stewards in northern Illinois. He is remembered for his extreme generosity.

Boulos served the community as Supreme Treasurer and member of the Supreme Board of Trustees of the Order of AHEPA, President of the Rotary Club of DeKalb, President of the DeKalb County Shrine Club, President of St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church, member of Masonic Lodge A.F. & A.M. No. 144 DeKalb, and in many other philanthropic capacities.

During an interview published on February 28, 1952 with the Elgin Daily Courier-News, discussing the importance of community and hard work, he noted: “This is truly the land of opportunity and it has the principles and freedom that I love. My father brought me here because he wanted me to have the advantage of living in the United States.”

Businesses

1921 - Bloomington Evening Bulletin (Bloomington, IL) - Evening newspaper route.

1938 - Paradise Food Mart (Elgin, IL) - Boulos chopped a finger off during his time as an apprentice in the produce department.

1941 - Bowlway Recreation (Elgin, IL) - Considered America’s finest bowling alley. “A bowler of renown, he [C.L. Boulos] was on what is considered the best bowling team ever to come out of Elgin. That crew won the Illinois state title in 1943 in addition to several county and city titles. They also held the city championship for 10 years in succession.” Elgin Daily Courier-News, February 28, 1952.

1948 - Tucker Automobile (Franchise) (Will Co., IL)

1949 - People’s Liquor Store (Elgin, IL)

1960 - McDonald’s (DeKalb, IL) - First Greek-American franchise owner and operator.

“Thana” Meaning

In 1974, C.L. Boulos established a personal holding company under the name THANA in connection with McDonald’s Corporation’s stock acquisition of part of the original business. The name honored (i) a similar spelling to his birthplace, Thanas, a village near Tripoli, GR, and (ii) his nephew, Athanasios, whose name coincidentally contains the common Greek diminutive “Thana.”