Books & Breakfast
Are you team sweet or savory when it comes to breakfast foods? I’ve always wavered — I can just as easily be swayed by a plate of bacon (extra crispy, of course) as I am by a stack of pancakes.
The Lancaster Sweet Shoppe, however, made an excellent case for sweet at their recent Ice Cream & Waffles for Breakfast event.
Folks lined up for a chance to start their day with a fluffy Belgian waffle, a large scoop of the Pine View Dairy ice cream flavor of their choice, a heaping of fresh fruit (strawberries, bananas, or blueberries—or all three), and a bit of whipped cream. A truly delightful and delicious way to start a special Saturday morning.
And out back, on the Sweet Shoppe’s patio, another line was forming. Jennifer Oehme Knepper was signing copies of her book, Food is Love, and chatting with friends and strangers alike.
“We were so honored to host a book signing for Jenn Knepper at the Sweet Shoppe,” said Jennie Groff, who owns the Sweet Shoppe with her husband, Jonathan, and co-owns Stroopies, Inc., which operates out of the shop. “Jenn’s book, Food is Love, captures our heart at Stroopies so well. Food is a beautiful gift and it connects us across cultures. Jenn’s gift to us in this book was well worth celebrating today and in the years to come.”
Founded in 2008, Stroopies brought a classic Dutch treat—the stroopwafel—to Lancaster County. Since they opened more than a decade ago, Stroopies, “has sought to 1) Provide meaningful employment in support of refugees as they work to overcome language and cultural barriers, and 2) Make high-quality stroopwafels available to the Lancaster community and throughout the U.S.,” according to their website.
Stroopies’ focus on building a social enterprise made their story a natural fit for Food is Love, Volume One
“I first met the Stroopies team when they were part of the Gifts That Give Hope Alternative Gift Fair—going on 15 years now,” Knepper said. “I’ve always been inspired by Jennie and Jonathan and their friends who had the vision to start Stroopies and to intentionally provide employment opportunities to refugees who are resettling in Lancaster. I am always inspired by social enterprises, in particular, which use business as a force for positive change.”
For more information on Stroopies and future events at the Lancaster Sweet Shoppe, visit www.lancastersweetshoppe.com.
To learn more about this year’s Gifts That Give Hope Alternative Gift Fair, which will be held on December 11, 2022, visit www.giftsthatgivehope.org/lancaster
By Maddy Pontz
