Bethel Park family operates three businesses
Patsy Foster with son, Jonathan, at Patsy’s Restaurant, located in the space that Freddie’s Restaurant occupied on Library Road.
Kathleen Putaro, Patsy's sister, in her boutique, Kathleen's Kollections on West Library Avenue in Bethel Park.
writer@thealmanac.net
When Kathleen Putaro isn’t working at her Bethel Park boutique, she can often be found making meatballs in the kitchen of her sister’s Bethel Park restaurant.
“It was her dream,” Putaro said. “I had mine. I am going to do whatever I can to help her.”
Last month, Putaro’s sister, Patsy Foster, opened Patsy’s Place, a restaurant located on Library Road in the building that used to house Freddie’s restaurant, where Foster worked as a waitress for 13 years.
Foster’s husband, Jeff, who has owned and operated Jeff’s Pizza in Carnegie for 30 years, has brought a slice of that business to Bethel Park, making pizza and hoagies at Patsy’s Place in the evening.
“The location came up and the opportunity was there,” he said, adding that he is happy to be working closer to home,
From 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. every day, Patsy Foster serves breakfast and lunch to former Freddie’s customers and new customers.
“I knew I had one chance of getting them back,” she said.
Not only have Freddie’s customers returned, but the restaurant has also attracted new regulars.
“I am astounded at the amount of business we’re doing,” Foster said.
Foster employs two full-time cooks and has brought back many of the employees who worked at Freddie’s.
In addition, the Fosters have installed a pizza oven in the restaurant kitchen.
From 4 to 9 p.m. week nights, and until 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, customers can order dinner items as well as Jeff Foster’s pizza and hoagies.
The Fosters’ son, Jonathan, also works at Patsy’s Place, and is learning every aspect of the business.
Putaro, who began selling her homemade clothing and jewelry at craft shows, opened her first shop in 1992 on Library Road. Eight years ago, she moved Kathleen’s Kollections to its current location, next to the municipal building on West Library Avenue.
The boutique, which features clothing and jewelry Putaro has hand-selected, is open from noon until 6 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and noon to 3 p.m. Saturday. Putaro also sees clients by appointment.
“It’s very eclectic,” she said. “I have things you won’t find anywhere else. People are amazed at how many different things I have.”
Putaro prides herself on knowing her clientele and on offering items that she knows they will like and that will look attractive on them.
Connie Ruhl, executive director of the Bethel Park Chamber of Commerce, said her organization is excited about helping entrepreneurs such as Putaro and the Fosters.
“I think that having three family members establishing businesses in Bethel Park demonstrates that the Bethel Park area is a great business environment that supports entrepreneurs,” she said. “Our small- to mid-size businesses are welcomed by both the established business community and the community-at-large.”
For Patsy Foster, establishing and continuing relationships with her customers is of the utmost importance. “I want people to feel like they are eating at home without having to do the dishes,” she said.
Although Foster has kept many of Freddie’s popular items on the menu, she has also made changes.
“Someone could eat lunch here every day and order something different and be happy with each of their choices,” she said.
Foster prides herself on having a customer-friendly, family-oriented business. “I want people to feel like they are eating at home without having to do the dishes,” she said.
The restaurant is dedicated to her parents, whose bequest made it possible.
“It’s what I have always wanted,” she said.