ELLENDALE — Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life, the saying goes. There is truth behind those words if you ask Judy Davidson of Ellendale.

Davidson has owned Ellendale Cafe for almost 25 years, and has no plans to retire anytime soon — even though her adult daughter will prod her at times, reminding her that she’s 70.

“When I bought the place, I never expected to be here this long, but I enjoy it,” Davidson said. “Why not do something you enjoy?”

Davidson makes homemade soups, pies and rolls for her cafe. In fact, she makes almost everything on the menu from scratch. Davidson said she uses the recipes from the establishment’s former owner to make many of the items.

“She just walked out with her purse and left everything the way it was, so it was pretty easy for me,” Davidson said.

Is every day easy? No.

“I’m like everyone else,” she said. “Some days I hate getting up in the morning, but once I’m up and here, I’m pretty happy. We all need something to do every day — otherwise we’re going to start growing roots.”

Sitting down and staying still are just not part of the plan for Davidson right now, but she does hope the restaurant’s history won’t end the day she hangs up her apron for good.

“I just hope that someone will buy it some day and keep it going,” she said. “I think people would really miss (the cafe) if it closed.”

Ellendale Cafe is open from 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday for breakfast only.