West Reading Avenues Fall 2017 - 17

Top Photo: (l-r) Mark and Steve Woodward, with
friends. Left to right: Judy and Susan Esposito Pollack;
Tim and Stacy Gallagher; Bob and Judy Pollack.

amilies are the friends we don't get to choose. Or
is it friends that are the families we choose? Or is
it maybe both? Whatever the truism, families can
bring both joy and challenges to our everyday lives.
Think of your typical interactions with relatives - like when
cousin Eddie drank too much at the family reunion and nearly
started a forest fire putting frozen chicken wings in the deep
fryer? Or when Aunt Violet asked you for the 100th time why
you weren't married yet? And what about dear old grandma
delivering that classic backhanded compliment, "You got the
brains, and your sister got the looks." I'm still trying to figure
out which one of us should be more insulted by that one.
But I digress. If family harmony is hard to achieve under
average circumstances, working in a family business is togetherness on steroids. Its endless face time and group decisions
about vision, direction, and - gasp - money, can be divisive
and delicate. I can relate, as my daughter, Carolyn, recently
joined my insurance agency staff on a full time basis. I can
only imagine how she feels, spending practically every waking
moment with me...poor kid.
Right here in West Reading, there are many family businesses
that seem to have figured out a good balance between the
personal and the professional. Having a suspicious mind, I
decided to pry a little bit and uncover some of their secrets.
I mean they can't be having that much fun, right? How are
they not killing each other? I decided to focus on the 600
block of Penn Avenue for my answers.
My first stop was the West Reading Tavern, of course. Here,
father-and-son team Steve and Mark Woodward have created
a fine dining experience and a comfortable gathering place for
locals and visitors alike. When you walk through the famous
red door, you feel suddenly immersed in culture and history,
and right at home. From the superior menu to the extensive
craft beer selection to the cozy barroom fireplace to the fact
that Steve and Mark rarely forget a name, the Tavern is the
quintessential West Reading experience.

West Reading Tavern
Steve started the business in 1977 with his brother, Scott,
who later left the partnership. In 2011, Mark left a successful
restaurant career in Las Vegas to come back home and join
forces with his father. Steve missed working with a partner,
and was open to the fresh new ideas Mark had to offer. Flash
forward a few years and we now are enjoying those ideas,
including new patio seating and festive borough events like
the Santa Bar Crawl, French Fry Fest, and the new-for-2017
Craft Beer Fest.
Continued on page 16

Building Beauty & Value
Into Home & Family
Put the mower, blower and yard tools
away with an Express Lawn & Landscape
Annual Maintenance program.
Enjoy increased value and more family
time by taking advantage of our
year-round packages that feature
budgeted, monthly installment plans.

Express Plans Include:
* Weekly Mowing/Trimming
* Shrub/Perennial Trimming
* Spring Cleanup
* Fall Cleanup
* Lawn/Turf Care
* Bed Maintenance
* Mulch Installation
* Edging

Express Yourself Today

Visit our website or call us today for your
free home or business estimate.

484-955-1803
ExpressLawnandLandscape.com

lovewestreading.org

http://www.ExpressLawnandLandscape.com http://www.lovewestreading.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of West Reading Avenues Fall 2017