By Karissa Hearn
Woody’s Towne Café’s slogan, painted on its newly refinished entryway, reads “Good Food, Friends, and Family.” This is what the Main Street, Allentown eatery has been providing for the past 14 years.
Since the age of 15, owner Don Wood Jr., or “Woody” has worked in the food industry.
With experience in the pizzeria business and some help from local mentors, Wood decided to open up his own café 14 years ago.
When he looked into starting his own business, Wood’s three children were young. He chose to open a café serving only breakfast and lunch in order to maintain his quality of life.
“I could be home with the kids at night,” he said, “It was a good mix between having a normal life and owning a business.”
Today, Wood’s children, Elizabeth, Donny and Katie, can all be found doing their parts in the cafe. Elizabeth and Katie serve customers in the dining area while Donny is often in the back cooking.
Wood’s wife Carol helps him to co-manage the restaurant. The two are self-taught business managers.
The Woods started with a staff of five and now manage 10 employees.
Aside from family, a sense of friendship and community is very important to Wood.
“Being in the area for 30 years, I always wanted [my business] to be close to home … a nice hometown feeling,” he said.
Wood is involved in the Allentown Business Community Association, a former board member of the local Little League Association and has been involved in the Allentown Fall Festival.
In seeking advice and inspiration for his business years ago, he also turned to the community.
“I was driven by previous businessmen in town that I looked up to,” Wood said.
Wood credits Dick Walter of Walter’s Pharmacy, Cliff Perry of Perry’s Market, Pete Sensi of Sensi’s Market, and Nick DiMattia of DiMattia Restaurant and Lounge.
“I admired their dedication to the business and the community,” Wood said, “I thought these were traits I had and I wanted to do it too.”
Wood said that the café’s food has kept customers coming back over the years.
Wood said their homemade bread is something to watch out for. The “Woody’s Specials” are large sandwiches on the fresh-baked bread.
In the morning hours, homemade corned beef hash is popular.
Wood said one of the best-kept secrets at Woody’s Towne Café is the homemade soup, which isn’t offered daily but is worth keeping an eye out for.
Woody’s Towne Café is located at 27 S. Main Street in Allentown. The restaurant is open for business 6:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. They can be reached at (609) 259-5722.
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