A Cambridge restaurant owner known for supporting the community is selling his business to focus on his health and family.
Todd Johns has owned and operated ‘Wuddup Dog’ for over 15 years. From its humble beginnings as a hot-dog cart, Johns grew his business and became a staple in the Preston area.
Walking into Wuddup Dog, the first thing you notice is the friendly atmosphere. Johns and his five year old daughter stand behind the counter smiling, ready to take orders from hungry customers.
But the last couple of years for Johns and his family has not come without its challenges.
Three years ago, Johns was diagnosed with a myriad of health problems that affected the way he could run his restaurant.
“I got stage four kidney failure, heart failure and I'm going blind in one eye,” Johns said.
This comes after a life-long battle with diabetes he has been fighting since he was two years old.
When Johns started this business as a hot-dog stand, his dream was to take it to downtown Galt. A small space in Preston became available and he knew he had to jump on it.
He finally ended up in what is now Wuddup Dog's final home on King Street East. This is where Johns will say goodbye to his diner to spend more time with his daughter and work on getting back to better health.
The doctors told Johns that he needed to cut stress out of his life. Being a single father and a business owner, the stress kept piling up.
“Between her and the restaurant, it’s a no brainer,” Johns said.
He is a few years out from being able to get an organ transplant, but hopes reducing his stress will help him on his road to recovery.
He feels like he is being forced to give up his passion and leave the restaurant behind him. Even talking about it brings tears to his eyes.
“I’m not ready to let go, but it feels like I don’t have another option,” he said.
The memories he has made over the last 15 years have been priceless and he has made very loyal customers that support him through this difficult time.
Johns is well known in the community for helping out those in need by giving away free hot meals on holidays, free dogs to veterans on Remembrance Day and hosting fundraisers to support local charities.
“You need to give back to the community you are in and get them behind your back, it is so important to have the support of your community,” he said.
To call the last three years challenging for Johns would be an understatement.
Working nearly 12 hour shifts daily and then on weekends to keep up with the after-hours bar crowd, the restaurant will sometimes stay open until 4 a.m.
Johns wants the new owner to carry on the business and make it shine where he feels it needs light. He has offered to stay on and show the new buyer everything about the business.
“I want to see them continue with the business and continue giving back to the community. We have over 40 different sausages that we make all in house, it’s a lot,” Johns said.
The outpouring of support Wuddup dog has received on social media has been incredible, Johns said.
“It just goes to show that if you have the community's back, they will have yours too.”
