Small Business Spotlight
Hungry? Take a trip to Woodburn to visit Bob’s Family Restaurant if you are looking for a good homecooked meal! Located at 22031 Main Street in downtown Woodburn, Bob’s specializes in homemade food, a family-friendly atmosphere, and personal service that is a refreshing alternative to the franchise experience. The restaurant is also known for its homemade pies, with ten plus varieties availably daily, including their fan-favorite peanut butter pie.
Bob's Family Restaurant opened in 1975 and was purchased by the present owners, Steve and Tiara Bremer, in 2005. The Bremers are both life-long Woodburn residents and have raised three grown children in the community, all which have worked at the restaurant at some point over the years.
When asked what has been the secret to their success, the Bremers listed that they have a great staff and a good relationship with many of their customers. Tiara expressed her fondness and appreciation of their customers by explaining that they are one big family. Bob’s is also a regional draw – bringing in visitors from throughout Allen County, Indiana and into northwest Ohio – however, local patronage and support is also vitally important.
Woodburn is the first community off of US 24 past the Indiana/Ohio line and over the past seven years the “Fort to Port” project which improved the highway between Fort Wayne, IN and Toledo, OH has brought significant growth near the US 24/SR 101 interchange north of town. The Woodburn community has worked hard to revitalize their downtown area so that all the commercial interest and activity doesn’t shift to the north and has recently received notice of funding approval by the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs to complete a second phase of streetscape enhancements that will take place on Main Street between Becker Road and Carl Street. This area is directly in front of Bob’s and will hopefully help with their continued success for years to come!