Berks County Bar Association The Berks Barrister Summer 2020 - 22

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KEEP CALM AND
CARRY OUT
By Susan N. Denaro, Esquire

T

he Park Road Café, 840 North Park Road, Wyomissing,
celebrated its first anniversary shortly before the Coronavirus
upended life as we knew it. Thanks to the hard work of
Melynda Wagner and her caring staff, the restaurant had established
itself as a popular spot for an ever-growing contingent of regulars.
Perhaps that was due in part to its subtle references to the Central Perk,
the coffee shop with oversized coffee mugs, comfortable sofas, and areas
for Friends to gather. Rarely did I stop in that I didn't see someone who
was also there on my last visit.
Just like in the iconic episode of Friends featuring Ross repeatedly
shouting the word PIVOT to those carrying his new sofa up a narrow
brownstone staircase, PIVOT has become the battle cry of Melynda
who has had to reinvent just about every aspect of her business to
survive this pandemic. Looking back, it was Melynda's ability to pivot
that helped her reach her first anniversary in a location where far too
many other restaurants before her failed.

One could say that Melynda has been pivoting all her life. She was
in corporate sales in the banking industry until she took a year off to do
hot air balloon training. She was a consultant who eventually owned
a clothing boutique. But it was her time as a waitress that taught her
that her true forte was connecting with people and led her to open the
Park Road Café. Her personal touch and commitment to making every
customer feel valued may be the reason she has managed to keep her
business ticking even during these times.

Making the pivot to takeout at Park Road Café

The Park Road Cafe
840 North Park Road
Wyomissing
www.theparkroadcafe.com
Whole quiche pies are among the healthy yet
delicious offerings.

22 | Berks Barrister

She initially closed for a brief period before reopening one day a
week offering limited groceries and essentials
such as eggs, bagels, fruit and toilet paper,
in addition to whole quiche pies and other
offerings from her menu. Prior to the
instigation of social distancing rules, she sold
her popular Philly Dilly chicken salad and
her pickle-spiked tuna fish by the scoop in a
sandwich or on a salad. One of her pivots has
been to sell those items by the quart for people
to enjoy at home over more than one sitting.
The same can be said for her Nitro coffee,
which is now sold in big containers for carry
out. Perhaps the most inspirational addition
to her menu of late has been the gorgeous
charcuterie boxes and dessert boxes that have
become instant best-sellers.
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Berks County Bar Association The Berks Barrister Summer 2020

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