AIKEN, S.C. () – The Aiken County Coroner and the Department of Public Safety are investigating the death of a local business owner.

Coroner Darryl Ables tells us 78-year-old Jimmy D. Varos, known by locals as ‘Jimmy The Greek’, was found dead inside the Variety Restaurant on York Street NE, Friday afternoon just before 4 p.m.

Public Safety Officers were called to the restaurant by family members for a well being check just after 3:30 p.m. Once there, officers found Varos deceased in a portion of the building that had been converted into a living space. They also reported a strong odor of propane gas inside.

An autopsy has been scheduled for next week to determine the cause of death. Foul play is not suspected at this time.

The Variety Restaurant was built in 1931, and is reported to be one of the first ‘family restaurants’ in the Aiken area. Varos reportedly purchased the restaurant in 1980’s.