Jennifer Stretch & Jane Smith
If you happened to patronize The Loft Restaurant in New Cumberland, you may have wondered what happened to the mother-daughter duo who ran the place that was known for made-from-scratch fare.
Today, you’ll find them at a simple, unpretentious eatery on Derry Street called Joe Mama’s, where the food is the focal point.
“My dad died four days after we opened The Loft in 2015, and my brother Joe died a year after that,” said owner Jennifer Stretch, explaining that the two needed to take time to grieve and heal before they were able to confront the ever-present challenges of the restaurant business.
One of the first things customers will see upon entering the dining area is a large, smiling portrait of Joseph Stretch III, along with his birth and death year and a touching poem reminding mom and sis to reflect back on his life with a smile and enjoy the sunny days ahead.
“He was only 39,” Stretch said.
These days, it appears the two are taking that advice and living in the moment as they smile and chat with customers, while preparing breakfast and lunch.
What Works
Stretch said that the restaurant business is in her blood.
“My grandma Donna Bechtel owned the Dutch Diner in Palmyra and raised us waitressing around the clock,” she said. “From that, I learned the hard work ethic, the fast-paced hustle and people skills.”
She transferred those skills to a food truck business about 12 years ago.
“We made breakfast to order and roasted turkey, which we hand-carved,” she said.
Unfortunately, it failed to take off.
“In this business, you learn what works and what doesn’t, sometimes too late,” she said. “Instead of staying in one place, we kept driving the truck around looking for clientele, and it didn’t help that the truck was old and kept breaking down on us.”
Stretch feels more confident this time that she and her mother are in it for the long haul, COVID be damned.
“Before the pandemic, we had 13 tables inside,” she said. “Now, we have three outside and three inside.”
They celebrated their third year in business on July 1, and the increase in takeout and catering has kept everything humming along.
“We worked the whole way through the pandemic,” Stretch said. “For us, it was a blessing and a curse. Yes, we have to work harder, and it’s difficult to find help. That’s a negative, but, at the same time, we’re thriving.”
Stretch also credits her indefatigable mother, Jane Smith, for standing by her side, working along with her over the years.
“Jen said, ‘Mom, you can decorate,’ and I ended up cooking,” said Smith. “I want to help Jen be successful so that, when I go, I can be assured that she’s fine. That’s what will make me happy.”
So Blessed
According to Stretch, the late risers enjoy the fact that she offers all-day breakfast.
“Our cheesesteak omelets are popular, along with our huge breakfast sandwiches,” she said.
Also popular is homemade pork sausage that is made on site, along with roast ham and turkey. Sandwiches are served on their signature sourdough, and shrimp and grits fly out the door, along with chicken and waffles. Another draw is the $5 fish and fries offered every Wednesday and Friday.
“We’ve had to raise our prices, but we’ll never get rid of that special,” said Stretch.
Painter Chuck Edwards is a regular customer and a fan of the fish and fries.
“The fish sandwich is big!” he said, adding that the eatery is right down the street from his house and very convenient. “I enjoy everything they serve there and usually order the turkey sausage, egg and cheese wrap.”
Michelle Parson, who works at nearby Edwin L. Heim Co., is another fan of the establishment.
“We use them for catering, and what we like is that they make the food fresh, onsite,” Parson said. “Our associates enjoy the pulled pork, the macaroni salad and their other salads.”
Stretch recently decided to usher in the warmer months with an addition to the business.
“I fixed up the shed and rented it out so that customers can now treat themselves to Ed’s Water Ice,” she said.
For now, Stretch is exactly where she wants to be.
“I love the fast pace, and I love to feed people,” she said. “I feel like it’s very intimate, and it’s how I connect to them on a personal level.”
The mother-daughter duo said that they’ve been so buoyed by their success that they may consider moving to a larger place in the future.
“We are so blessed,” said Smith.
Joe Mama’s Kitchen and Catering is located at 2233 Derry St., Harrisburg. For more information, call 717-307-9593 or visit their Facebook page.
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