By Gabriella Bancheri
Devon Raab, better known as Doozie by her friends and family, is a lifelong Ocean City local and young Stockton University graduate. After deciding to follow her dream of opening a breakfast joint in her beloved town, the plans have officially been set in motion: Doozie’s Place will be serving up breakfast and lunch this summer.
Last week, Devon signed a lease for a building on the corner of 1st Street and Asbury Avenue in Ocean City, officially giving Doozie’s Place a home. The restaurant will have both indoor and outdoor seating, offering about 40 seats in total.
Devon’s fate as a restaurant owner was sealed as a kid when, instead of playing with dolls or makeup, she’d play “café” with her family, making menus and serving up fresh breakfast presumably made from a random mishmash of toys.
For Christmas one year, Devon’s mom had given her checkbooks, a kitchen set, and an apron. Devon recalls it being “the best Christmas ever.” But I think Christmas 2024 might top the charts now that she’ll be making real menus and doling out the checkbooks to her own staff.
Ever since the announcement of the new place, Devon has received a plethora of community support. From friends and family to other local business owners and neighbors, it’s clear that Doozie’s Place already has some fans.
Not only has the endeavor increased Devon’s confidence and boosted her fresh, young entrepreneurial spirit. It’s also encouraged her to think about ways to be directly involved in her community. She has mentioned partnering with local schools and charities, and even expresses hopes to sponsor a local sports team.
Devon’s brother, Cory, owns the Churn House, a cereal-infused ice cream bar also located in Ocean City. With their businesses both located on Asbury Avenue, Devon shares that the two will certainly be helping each other out whenever they need because “that’s just what family does.”
Family, she shares, is one of the most important things to her. In fact, the slogan for Doozie’s Place that has shaped the vision for the eatery is “Come for breakfast, leave as family.” And with locally owned businesses like Devon and Cory’s, it definitely makes for more of a family feel in the community.
Devon also says that she won’t be rushing to open before summer so as to not put her employees through any unnecessary stress. Instead, the restaurant is slated to open in July, and Devon is perfectly happy to wait until the time is right to open with a stress-free environment to ensure a friendly, happy staff.
While a local breakfast joint was always the goal, it’s clearly one that’s fueled by a young woman’s love for her hometown and community. Devon doesn’t simply want to follow her own dreams; she wants to use her influence to give back to the community — or rather, the family — that she’s proud to be a part of.
