Willow Grove VFW Marches to the Future

After 32 years, the VFW Post 3612 general manager, Roger Myers, saw it was time for a change.

Founded in 1937, the Willow Grove VFW was once located along Davisville Road, where the currently stands. To have a larger facility and more capabilities in serving the public, the VFW was moved to its current location along Moreland Avenue in 1979.

Myers has been its general manager ever since, and he has big plans for the future of the Willow Grove VFW.

“We’re trying to change the perception that the VFW is more than just old veterans telling war stories, and drinking and smoking,” he said.

Myers served in the United States Air Force in the late 1960s. He explained that the VFW, which stands for Veterans of Foreign Wars, provide a common meeting place for veterans to gather and be in the company of other veterans. However, the VFW also invites civilian uses.

According to Myers, only members, both civilian and veteran, may order alcoholic beverages at the bar.

But, because of this mix of patrons, Myers said that in some smaller communities, the VFW has become a focal point for large gatherings, from wedding receptions to chamber of commerce meetings.

Myers said that the Willow Grove VFW, which holds a club-catering license, hosts around 120 large gathering events a year.

However, in the shadow of the recent economic downturn, Myers has noticed that the flow of regular members and their guests, or patrons at the bar, has had a steady decrease.

“The last couple of years were awful,” he said.

Myers added that generated income from liquor sales and private parties not only go toward the maintenance of the VFW, but also the various commitments to community and veteran-related services, including color guard ceremonies.

The lack of regular customers spurred Myers to lead a nearly $50,000 renovations project that would take the first steps in changing the image of the Willow Grove VFW.

“We want to make it a social place, where people can come in and have a good time,” Myers said.

Nearly everything was remodeled, from the outdoor lighting to the new bar stools. New paint schemes open up both the dining and bar areas, while the new drapes and fireplace can be appreciated by new indoor lighting, providing for a generally brighter environment.

The VFW also purchased four more flat-screen televisions, which totals nine TVs in both rooms.

According to Myers, renovations started in early July and lasted throughout most of September.

“The renovations really opened up the place,” Kim Clauser, who has been a Willow Grove VFW bartender for the last 10 years, said. “It would be nice to get some new faces in here.”

Another significant change was the decision to ban smoking in the VFW. This would make it a more public-friendly atmosphere when the VFW introduces its inaugural brunch menu Sept. 25.

According to the VFW Post 3612 website, a full-menu of buffet-style brunch items will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the second and fourth Sunday of each month.

A familiar assortment of brunch options will be available, from Belgian waffles to cream-chipped beef, all of which are made on premises in the VFW’s fully stocked kitchen.

The VFW will also host a luncheon buffet during the week from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The VFW is able to seat over 130 people in the dining area, upstairs and downstairs bar.

“And, that’s just at one time,” Myers said with a smile.

He added that serving food is only the first in several planned public outreach initiatives, some of which include monthly live musical performances.

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The Willow Grove VFW will host a Grand Reopening Celebration Sept. 24 from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Free finger food and reduced drink prices, as well as a performance from local musical act Ritchie’s Dance Band, will be featured.

The VFW is still open seven days a week, from 10 a.m. to 3 a.m.

For more information on the Willow Grove VFW grand reopening celebration or its Sunday brunch, visit the website here.