A decade of Dale's incorporates a lot of changes.
Dale Wayne Lannen, owner of Dale's Arch Street Eatery, 623 1/2 Arch St., first began on Campbell Street, then moved to Basin Street before relocating to Arch Street in December.
"The worst time to open is Christmas time," Lannen said. "People buy presents. In January, they save money to pay the bills."
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ALYSSA MURPHY/Sun-Gazette
Dale Wayne Lannen, owner of Dale’s Arch Street Eatery, assembles a sandwich at the cafe’s new location.
Despite his bad timing, he had his share of success.
"My accountant told me, 'In the short time you've been here, you have more business than at Basin,'" Lannen said.
He attributes his success to a better location and his clientele moving with him. His downtown location suffered because of the congested area. One man comes to his restaurant three times a week for breakfast -- even though he lives 18 miles away. He also had the help of his landlords, Glenn and Sharon Markle, in turning the business into a restaurant.
Fact Box
Dale's Arch Street Eatery
623 1/2 Arch St.
601-9320
Hours:
Mon. to Fri. - 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Sun. - 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Dale's stays open until 7:30 p.m. and serves a variety of meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Lannen calls his restaurant "small and comfortable." Though the small atmosphere will change in the future. He plans to tear down the wall to expand the inside seating area. He already has benches and tables for the people who want to eat outside.
His next venture in growing the business is to make it more accessible.
"My first step is to get a handicap ramp, my second is adding delivery and my third is a Facebook page and a website," Lannen said.
Currently, Lannen relies on word-of-mouth and newspaper advertisements to promote his business until he can start an online presence.
One thing he does not plan to change is his prices.
"I try to keep the prices down," Lannen said. "Our breakfast specials are outstanding."
While his restaurant receives a mixture of businesses for lunch and residents, he serves more residents, which he prefers.
"I want to take care of the people around here," he said. "The senior citizens like to come in and have a quiet meal."
Lannen often hears customers say that they can't believe the large selection he provides since his establishment is so small.
His menu includes pizza, chicken wings, hamburgers, wraps, fish dinners and more.
"Everything I make, it's the way I eat it," Lannen said. "I'm the only cook."
In addition to himself, the restaurant has two other employees.
