OR more than 60 years, residents have flocked to the Spot Restaurant, lured by its daily specials, friendly staff and reasonable prices.

Since 1971 the business has been run by Ted Powell, a local entrepreneur driven largely by a strong work ethic and a desire to please his customers.

"If you do your best to make new customers happy with your service and prices, they become satisfied, regular customers ? and that's the best kind of advertising there is," he said, in explaining the Burnaby Street, Hamilton, restaurant's success.

"I know in many businesses of a similar type that exist, the owners are vocal. I don't get into religion or politics or anything like that. People come in and I make them feel comfortable. It's our aim to cater to anyone and everyone that comes through the door. It's probably one of Bermuda's oldest continuing restaurants."

It was 35 years ago, on October 15, that Mr. Powell and his former partners purchased the business. Prior to that it had been owned by Rita Merira and her husband Manuel, more commonly known as 'The Sheik'.

"On June 10, 1971, my partners and I bought the Blue Moon restaurant, which was formerly in the Bermudiana Arcade," said Mr. Powell. "We also had the Bus Stop restaurant on Washington Street when Standard Hardware used to be there. In October of the same year we bought the Spot.

"To the best of my knowledge, Mr. Merira initially acquired the business from a Mr. Foote. Manuel sold it on two previous occasions prior to my partners and I buying it. Each time, he bought it back after a short period. My partners weren't overly keen about the restaurant business and after several years I bought them out ? some time during the mid-'70s. I elected to stick with the Spot."

He had no real experience as a restaurateur, Mr. Powell admitted.

"At the time I was working with the airlines. I basically had a high school education but many of my ancestors, certainly my dad and my uncle and my grandfather, worked in a bar or were involved in the catering business ? maybe it's in my blood.

"We had two sisters, Winnie Robinson and Rose Maxwell, working in the kitchen here for many years. They worked for years prior to me coming in and were very instrumental in teaching me a lot of the business. A lot of credit for its success goes to the staff."

The restaurant has always been in the same location ? at the top end of Burnaby Street near its intersection with Church Street.

Its menu has varied little over the years. As when the Spot first opened, it offers a full-service, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Known for the home-style specials which change daily, its take-out service is also popular. Residents frequently visit the restaurant for its burgers and milkshakes, both of which have been widely favoured since its opening.

"When I got in here, sandwiches cost under $1, a bowl of soup cost a little over 50 cents," Mr. Powell reminisced. "At one time there were many restaurants around Hamilton like the Spot ? the Arcade Restaurant, the Buckaroo, the Blue Jay ? but they all disappeared. When I came in I looked at what the Spot was offering and followed the old adage ? don't fix what ain't broke."

For many years Mr. Powell worked on the frontline, filling in wherever necessary. He has since taken a less prominent role, leaving the daily operation to his capable staff of 16.

"For 30 years I was pretty much on the scene every day, working behind the counter. For the last three or four years I've certainly stepped back but I used to be right in the mix ? taking cash, making milkshakes, working the grill.

"My theory on the secret of my success is being prepared to dedicate yourself time wise, prepared to work many hours, being sincerely interested in catering to the public. My philosophy is to make sure my customers are satisfied. I owe a lot to Alistair Virgin, our long-time chef who's now retired.

I am indebted to Tony Figureido ? he was a partner when I bought the business and stayed with me for many years until his death. Cleo Davis came here as a young woman in the early 1940s and is still here. She's now 84 and starts each workday soon after 5 a.m."

Mrs. Davis spoke to the , recalling her duties during that early period and how modern conveniences had eased her workload.

"Nothing came cut. We had to make home made French fries. Bread, cheese, everything had to be cut by hand. And if you didn't have a good knife . . ."

She said that from its beginning, the Spot Restaurant was one of the few eateries on the island that catered to residents of every race and creed.

"In the days of segregation, it was the only restaurant open to everyone. It's always been that way ? from when Mr. Foote opened it."

Always popular, it had a diverse following even then, Mrs. Davis said. As a means of catering to its patrons, the restaurant remained open for the majority of the day. Staff members worked split shifts ? 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. On alternate days their hours would run from 2 p.m. through 7 p.m.

"Charlton Heston used to come in as did many of the big movie stars of that time used to come in when they were performing at the Bermudiana Theatre," Mrs. Davis said. "We used to serve lots of policemen ? it was their home away from home. The nurses were always here. Many a romance started here. Many couples courting would come here."

Mr. Powell said his childhood visits to the restaurant left a distinct impression.

"I remember on Sundays my mom used to bring me in. The place was regularly packed, lined to the doors after church."

restaurant's interior has changed several times over the years, its d?cor, counters and colour schemes upgraded on each occasion to a modern standard. Evidence of further change is an outside seating areas for smoking patrons, located in the tiny alleyway between the restaurant and the building next door.

"I remember the first time we renovated we shut the doors at about 4 p.m. The restaurant was gutted by midnight. There was no ceiling, no tile, nothing. Still, we had people come to the door wanting to know if they could get a hamburger. In other words, when the Spot does close, the public can't believe it. It's one of those place they think is always open.

"I started somewhere between 12 and 15 years ago closing on Cup Match Saturday just to give the staff a well-earned mid-summer break because it gets crazy here in July, August and September ? when the kids are out of school. In spite of us having done this for years, people still come looking for us to be open. I put signs up, people are still pushing on the door."

Aside from catering to his faithful customers, Mr. Powell said he was pleased to note past staff members who had graduated on to different industries on the island.

"Today our customers range from that age group to catering to the elderly. There was one lady who used to come in regularly for a cup of tea and a scone. She only ate a handful of food and many times I would give it to her at no charge. I've seen a lot of the little kids who used to be here grow up and bring their own kids in.

"I always try and hire Bermudians. I always encourage youngsters to come in and just learn how to be responsible ? the importance of turning up on time. I tell them they don't have to stay working for Ted but that their track record will follow them.

"I had a young lady the other day who stopped me on the plane and introduced me to her husband telling him how I'd given her her first job.I'm proud to count a lawyer in Bermuda's largest law firm who once worked here.

"There are human resources managers in large, local firms, claims managers in exempt companies, school teachers ? they all started here and are now working in many other fields."