Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephan Campanella.
Stephan, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My Great Grandfather Alfonse Skiermont came from Lithuania and arrived in NYC. Eventually moving to Brockton mass where there was a large Lithuanian community. He purchased the Lynwood in 1949 (previously the Lynwood bar and grill established in 1935). Alfonse and his wife Josephine (my Great Grandmother) ran the Lynwood Cafe seven days a week with the help of my Grandfather Francis Kurlitis and Grandmother Pauline until Francis purchased the Lynwood cafe from Alfonse in the late 1980s.
Throughout the early years we served many different foods. Had many different cooks and eventually had a cook that had a pizza recipe common to area known as a “bar pie”. Eventually the pizza became a staple of the community and the Lynwood Cafe was forever known for the Bar Style Pizza. We have always had the belief that if you find the five best ingredients possible, not necessarily the most expensive ingredients but the best, then no matter what you make it will be delicious. Since 1949 we have strived to make the best pizza possible, and yes that sometime can take up to over an hour and a half to get a pizza. The Lynwood Cafe is truly a neighborhood staple serving not one or two but often three generations of families. Often the dining room is filled with families waiting for a table or take out and bumping into a high school classmate or friend from childhood. We haven’t changed anything in 68 years and it is that small slice of childhood Americana resonates with the families we serve. Many come back after ten or twenty years and memories of having pizza with the family or having your first beer with your dad resurface.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
All small businesses face challenges and our family business is no different. We have had ups and downs over the past 68 years but if you love what you do then you never work a day in your life. And we love what we do.
Please tell us about Lynwood Cafe.
The Lynwood cafe is a multi-generational business with over 60 years serving the south shore community.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
Love your job and love what you do.
Contact Info:
- Address: 320 Center Street
Randolph MA 02368 - Website: Lynwoofcafe.com
- Phone: 781-963-3100 781-963-9894
- Email: lynwoodcafeinc@gmail.com
- Instagram: lynwood cafe
- Facebook: Lynwood cafe
- Twitter: @lynwoodcafe
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