A former Navy cruise missile operator has found a second career as a baker, and now restaurateur, in his hometown in the Panther Valley.

Joe Serina Jr. recently opened Serina’s Bakery and Cafe on West Ridge Street in Lansford, fulfilling a dream that began after retiring from a 22-year career in the Navy.

The bakery and cafe is open six days a week for breakfast, lunch, baked goods and specialty coffee drinks.

After graduating from Panther Valley High School in 1980, Serina became a Tomahawk Missile engagement planner — responsible for the cruise missiles which can strike a target within 10 yards after traveling over 1,000 miles. Luckily, he never had to fire one.

When he retired and it came time for a second career, Serina was inspired by the cooking shows he watched on TV.

“You’re sitting there and watching these cooking shows and you’re like, ‘Oh my God, I would like to do that.’ So then I went to culinary school.”

While studying culinary at the Art Institute of Virginia Beach, Serina had to take a pastry and baking class. He immediately found that baking was more of his calling.

“To me, it’s more relaxing. When you’re doing the culinary side, you’re constantly going.”

After getting an associate in culinary, he pursued a second degree in pastry arts, then a bachelor’s in hospitality. Finally, he earned a master’s.

Serina always knew that he wanted to return to his native Lansford. He would visit on leave and see that it needed new businesses.

“I didn’t come back here to make a lot of money. With a bakery gone, I wanted to come back to my hometown and just try to revive it,” he said.

It became a goal to start a business and help revive the town. He started by co-locating with other businesses. For over a year, he split space with Gathering Grounds Cafe, which is located just down the block.

This summer, he decided to strike out on his own and open the bakery and cafe of his dreams. He decided to do it on West Ridge Street, which once bustled with businesses that drew people from towns all over the area. That area is seeing a run of new local businesses coming in after years of decline.

Serina’s dedication is unquestioned. Six days a week he is working at the bakery. On Sundays, his day off, he does all the shopping by himself.

“On Wednesdays, I go to the farmers market. I go right to a local farmer. I make everything as local as possible,” he said.

At 6 o’clock each morning, Serina comes in and creates the baked goods he loves — scones, coffee cakes, cookies and pies.

But he also operates a full-service cafe. Serina’s serves omelets, pancakes and breakfast sandwiches for breakfast.

At lunch, the menu includes sandwiches like BLTs, available with grilled chicken and basil aioli, as well as burgers like the Ranchero, topped with onion rings and barbecue sauce.

The cafe serves Mauch Chunk Coffee Co. Coffee, as well as specialty drinks like cappuccinos and macchiatos.

The restaurant also serves pizza for eat-in or takeout, however orders must be placed 24 hours in advance.

The cafe offers a 10 percent discount all day, every day for military veterans and senior citizens over the age of 65, and it applies to the entire menu.

Serina hopes that he can serve up the food he loves to make, in a town that he loves.

“I grew up here. I love this town. I know it has a bad reputation, but there’s a lot of good people left in this town,” he said.

Serina’s Bakery is located at 22 W. Ridge St. in Lansford. Hours of operation are 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Sunday. For more information, check out the Serina’s Bakery & Cafe page on Facebook.

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