Tod Auman, Dundore & Heister

Tod Auman, Dundore & Heister – Local, Pastured and Organic Meats

1331 Penn Avenue, Wyomissing 610-374-6328

Amanda Alger

WRA: Are there still times you get emotional when you see brides try on their perfect gowns?

AA: Absolutely! We have a lot of different family dynamics that we get in every single appointment. Each appointment brings something different whether we are dealing with a body insecurity, a missing family member who passed away and will not be a part of the wedding, financial hardships… all of those things play into our appointments, and it’s incredible what my team and I are able to provide to our brides despite these things. It’s very emotional for all involved when we are able to find a bride her “dream dress.” We usually celebrate with some Champagne and pass around the tissues!!

WRA: What inspires you most about the services you provide?

AA: My favorite part of this job is helping women to see themselves in a beautiful way. SO many of my brides (like almost all of us) have some sort of body insecurity–arms, stomach, legs, etc. –so the thought of dress shopping for most women can be scary and stressful. We aim to provide a stress free, comfortable shopping environment for all body types and brides! I love being able to get women outside of their comfort zone a little and get them into gowns that accent all of the best features of their bodies and to help make them feel beautiful inside and out!

WRA: If you could choose to spend a day working at another Avenue business, which would it be and why? AA: Probably Ady Cakes!! I LOVE sweets–especially cupcakes–and Ady Cakes does cupcakes the best!! A fun hobby of mine is baking, so I feel like that would be a super fun job for a day!! Tod Auman

WRA: When did you open your store? TA: My wife and co-owner, Chrissy, and I opened the store in July 2014.

WRA: How did you become passionate about continuing the traditions of local butchers?

TA: I’m passionate about local history because we have such a wonderful heritage in our community and that’s a story that needs to be told.

WRA: What are the nutritional differences in the meats you provide versus those in a chain grocery store?

TA: The difference is that it all starts with healthy soil. All our farm partners are stewards of the land. Our friends at the Rodale Institute say healthy soil equals healthy animals equals healthy food equals healthy people.

WRA: What inspires you most about your business?

TA: We believe that when we share the story of our heritage that we help build our community. Food is one of the great unifiers. It’s something we can all agree upon and it’s a source of local pride. It brings everyone together and that’s what’s fun about what we do.