Locals visit with former Wayside Caf

During the 18 years that Paul Seehaver and Larry Austin ran the Wayside Café in Fallbrook, they made many friends of both customers and employees. After selling the popular restaurant, the duo eventually moved to Smithsville, Tenn., where they have lived for seven years.

“We sure miss everybody,” said Austin. “We think about our friends back in Fallbrook every day.”

Times are not easy these days for Austin, 58, and Seehaver, 65.

While operating a convenience store they had purchased, Seehaver was hospitalized due to dizziness he was experiencing. Things worsened on Dec. 19, 2009.

“While in the hospital, Paul had a stroke,” explained Austin. “He spent a week in intensive care.”

As Seehaver struggled to rehabilitate, Austin was handling the store on his own. Four months later, another setback occurred.

“On April 17, 2010, I had four heart attacks and my colon burst,” said Austin. Seehaver struggled to keep the store open with his limited capabilities. “I was in a coma-like state and in intensive care for a full month. All I remember about that month is that one night I was not feeling well at work and a month later I had a big scar. I don’t remember healing or anything. I lost 30 lbs in 30 days. I learned that I wasn’t supposed to survive but my doctor appears to have worked a miracle.”

The severity of their combined health situations, coupled with the ensuing medical expenses, caused the partners to lose both their business and home as a result. Although his doctors have declared Austin fully disabled, he still hasn’t received his first disability check and is frustrated with the Social Security system.

“Our hospital bills have eaten up <all the money> we had,” said Austin.

Former Wayside employee Juan Casanova, who owns DF Cleaning in Fallbrook, has kept in touch with Seehaver and Austin. Out of concern, Casanova has made two trips back to Tennessee to see what he could do to help.

“Juan has been so good to us,” said Austin.

Casanova said he has been trying to do what he can for the pair that did so much for people who were in need in Fallbrook.

“Larry and Paul would always cook extra pies and donate them to the small church located behind the restaurant,” said Casanova. “They also always donated extra food they had to the church to help people in need.”

“They would never turn a person away that was hungry, even if they couldn’t pay; they always told them they would help them out,” he said.

With a large, devoted clientele, when an older individual who was a regular customer was laid up at home with an illness or surgery, Seehaver and Austin would offer to make meals to go to ensure the individual was getting food they liked when they weren’t able to make it in to the restaurant under their own power.

The duo said they enjoyed the Wayside business and customers so much, the 18 years in Fallbrook “just flew by.”

“When we feel a little down, we think about all the good times we had in Fallbrook; that always cheers us up,” said Austin.

“When Paul and Larry owned the [Wayside], it was so popular that we had regular customers that would drive up from San Diego and from the Inland Empire for a meal,” said Casanova. “Sometimes people were just passing through Fallbrook and would just stop in to say hello and visit – even if it wasn’t their meal time.”

Casanova said he, his family members, and employees have been sending what money they can to try and help Seehaver and Austin out during this difficult time.

“I am hoping some other people might be interested in doing the same,” said Casanova.

Since losing their home Dec. 15, Seehaver and Austin have moved in with friends for the time being.

Mail can be directed to them at 16130 Buffalo Valley Road, Buffalo Valley, Tennessee, 38548.

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