Eddie’s EuroMart owner Eddie Kola honors Luka Dončić with a special meal, expressing heartbreak over his trade from the Mavericks.
DALLAS — There is a shock still sizzling at Eddie’s EuroMart in Dallas as owner Eddie Kola rolled a special meal in honor of a special customer.
“I have him as my favorite person in my life. Makes me cry,” said Kola.
Like most fans, Kola is also stunned by the Mavericks trading away beloved star, Luka Dončić. “I didn’t believe it. My heart is broken. My customers have broken hearts,” said Kola.
Dončić is from Slovenia, a European country once part of the former Yugoslavia. Kola is from that region of Europe too. “When you have something from your country, from your cuisine, it reminds you of your mother and father, you growing up and were young, and you have that traditional food in Dallas, it means a lot,” said Kola.
That is why Kola opened the store. It was for customers such as Dončić. “He was very nice and quiet. He said, hey, thank you,” said Kola. “Two weeks ago, it was a bad weather outside. He called and he said, ‘Are you guys open?’ I looked at the number and said, ‘Luka Doncic! Yes, we are,’” said Kola.
Arenny Rebero works at EuroMart. She has been waiting for her chance to meet Dončić, which now could be longer than she’d hoped. “I hope he comes back,” said Rebero. “Everyone is shocked. It’s like why did they do that? I mean he played pretty good, so what is the reason?”
While fans serve up the “whys,” Kola, who is also a Mavs season ticket holder, can’t see himself at a game without his favorite player.
“I’m not going to go anymore. I used to go because of him,” said Kola. “I just wish him the best. I wish he comes back for Dallas.”
Although he doesn’t plan to attend more games, he said he’ll still root for the Mavs. “I love to say ‘Go Mavs.’ We have to keep going. Get focused.”
