It’s 10:30 on a Tuesday morning and Peggy Naughton says she’s been busy all day. The long-time owner of the Johnson House Restaurant in Churchville celebrated her 80th birthday this past February and continues to keep to a demanding schedule that would likely be a challenge for someone half her age.
On February 27, Peggy’s large family gathered for a private party at the Johnson House. “All my eight children were here and 15 of my 19 grandchildren,” Peggy says. In all, 53 people attended, including extended family.
“We had a beautiful buffet,” Peggy says, “there was a band and dancing.” Her out-of-town children traveled to Churchville from Boston, Washington and Seattle. A granddaughter flew-in from Rwanda.
“It was a lovely affair, tremendous,” Peggy says. Additionally, she received 85 birthday cards in the mail from customers as well as some gifts.
Customers celebrated with Peggy the Friday evening before the private family party, and enjoyed complimentary birthday cake.
Additionally, Peggy continues to celebrate her long life and successful business career this spring with two very special recognitions.
In March, she was honored as Business Leader of the Year for the Tops 2016 St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Rochester, and in May, Peggy will receive a Silver Spoon Award from the New York State Restaurant Association in Rochester at the Strathallan.
Peggy says she enjoyed the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and was able to meet with local dignitaries and attend Mass at St. Mary’s at 9 a.m. “It was a beautiful day,” she says, “there were thousands of people there.”
This year’s grand marshall was Captain Lynde Johnston, a 50-year veteran of the Rochester Police Department.
In a biography of Peggy on the rochesterparade.com website, organizers wrote that Peggy epitomizes “Cead Mile Failte,” by greeting each customer at the door every night. “For nearly 40 years, Peggy has put her heart and soul into making the restaurant one of the best in the area,” the website states.
Of the prestigious Silver Spoon Award, Peggy notes, “it is quite an honor.”
According to the New York State Restaurant Association, the annual award is presented to a restauranteur or food service operator who was not, “born with a silver spoon, but earned the admiration and respect of his or her peers through hard work and dedication to our industry and community.”
Peggy says she continues her tongue-in-cheek “20 year plan” with one of her sons to stay at the helm of the Johnson House as long as she feels healthy and capable.
“My son told me, you’ll only be 100 when you retire,” Peggy jokes. “I’m kept very busy,” she says of her business, “business is very good.”
She says her long-time customers continue to keep the restaurant going. “I treat them like family and they treat me like family,” she explains. Her customer base comes from all over the area, Peggy adds.
Peggy and her late husband, Michael, purchased the Johnson House in 1977, with no previous experience in the restaurant business. She says her longevity likely has much to do with her hard work and passion for her business.
“I’ve been doing this for 39 years,” she says, “I just keep going.”
