ZEST: A Legacy In The Making
If you’ve ever visited Lititz, then you’ve probably seen the notorious lemon storefront sign – the one that exclaims its message to all walking by, Zest!
From Vision to Reality
Originally hailing from Sarasota, Florida, Sharon Landis had quite the journey before walking through the front door of what would become a destination spot for tourists – and a weekly stop for locals.
Formerly a bookkeeper, Sharon discovered her passion for food while on the women’s committee at her church. The committee was responsible for hosting events, and the more events the committee hosted, the more Sharon fell in love with the world of cooking. It was while she was on the committee and busy learning more about her connection with food that someone said to her, “You should do this for a living.”
“So, I went to culinary school.” Sharon attended YTI Career Institute in Lancaster to study their culinary arts program. From there, the pieces of her journey began to unfold before her eyes. Sharon worked with Wickey’s Catering in York, as a private chef hosting dinner parties, and then she found her way to William Sonoma as their Coordinator of Demonstrations, Tastings, and Lessons.
One day while Sharon was working at William Sonoma, a woman came into the store and asked Sharon if she would be willing to teach her private cooking lessons. “I said, all right, and I ended up having her in my home once a week. I’d have a menu set up, and I would teach her the basics – I had already been to culinary school, so I knew how to hold a knife and all that – and she just blossomed. And I was left thinking, what a great influence, how wonderful to be able to do that for somebody. Giving them confidence in the kitchen when they had zero.” Soon after her private lessons, that student of Sharon’s went on to volunteer her time making meals at Water Street Rescue Mission in Lancaster, helping those in need maintain access to food, shelter, and the hope necessary to keep moving forward.
Yet, it wasn’t until Sharon was working as the culinary director at Calvary Church that she was approached by long-time friend Kim Waltz, co-owner of Waltz Vineyard, about a business opportunity in Lititz that had her name written all over it.
Ed and Dolores Brophy, previous owners of the General Sutter Inn – now the Lititz Springs Inn – were the couple that first opened Zest in 2010. The original shop was known for selling comedic culinary gifts like rubber chicken purses and squid-shaped whistles, as well as specialty foods and vintage kitchen items. Yet, once Sharon stepped through the doors, she thought, I have a vision. And in February 2012, that vision took shape when the Landis’ purchased the shop from the Brophy’s, and the legacy continued.
New Beginnings
“Right away, I knew I wanted to put a cooking school in.”
One year after taking the reins, Zest Cooking School came to life. Sharon mentioned that Chef Nino Elia, owner of Piccolo Eatery, got his start in Lititz by helping to establish the school, setting the tone and structure for what it has grown to become today. Classes were held in the Zest store, meaning space was somewhat limited. However, that did not stop customers from attending, and it was clear that there needed to be a more prominent spot to accommodate the size, demand, and future growth. With nothing available near the main storefront in Lititz, the cooking school found its new headquarters in Brighton Village, leading the way for what would become an immensely successful expansion.
And, of course, more space meant more opportunity for teaching – which is what led Chef Silvia Boff, owner of Brazilian Table, to begin teaching classes with Zest before diving into the small business world herself. “We’re simply honored to have been part of these entrepreneurs’ journeys,” because, for Sharon, it comes back to the sense of investment in people. Just as with that first fundamental private teaching lesson when her student blossomed into someone that carried only compassion and love into the art of cooking, she has continued to feel that same emotion for anyone that passes through the doors of Zest.
“The legacy I want to leave isn’t necessarily Zest, but the investment in people.”
With the cooking school in full swing, Sharon began to think of new ways to expand. When owned by the Brophy’s, Zest carried teas, but with A Tea Affair around the corner, the shop needed a new product – and what pairs better with cooking than spices?
There are over one hundred spices to choose from, all sourced in Pennsylvania and all on display in their room next to the main storefront in Lititz. It was important to Sharon that things remain close to home, have no unnecessary additives, and can make any dish have just enough zest. And still, the doors kept opening for growth. A Tea Affair moved locations, which meant a new space next door to the spice shop was available, and soon enough, it became home to Zest’s top-selling product, Stonewall Kitchen.
From cooking school to spice shop, and finally to a homeland of a beloved product – it’s clear that things have continued to fall into place at the perfect time, and the community has fallen in love with it.
Kitchen Store People and Loyalty
“Let me state that people who like kitchen stores are a certain breed – I would know; I’m one of them!”
Sharon revealed that the initial response to the new ownership was slow in the beginning. As with most business takeovers, there is a community concern that the establishment they once knew will change for the better or worse. In the case of Zest, while it took time to rekindle trust, Lititz discovered that the Landis’ held the future integrity of the shop in a positive lens. “After a while, we found our place.”
How did Sharon learn how to garner that trust? Homing in on the locals. “Let’s just say tourists aren’t coming in to buy toasters.” The inventory of Zest is marketed toward those in the local region of Lancaster County. While tourism is welcomed and loved, it was always a value to Sharon to invest in the people that can keep coming back, those who are ever so slowly building her loyal customer base.
“I often say to the staff, think of things as though you are the customer,” this mentality seeps into everything Zest offers. All of the purchasing, cooking classes, and products are made through the lens of the customer. Taking the time to understand how it will feel to step through the front door of a business and see the products proudly displayed can help anyone to feel as though they have a purpose for shopping locally.
“Put yourself in the place of the customers, always.”
Sharon reflected on 2019 – the beginning of Zest’s turning point. However, as so many know all too well, the pandemic took hold, and everything stopped. Though, with the strength of the local community, the town joined arms and helped Zest and all of the local businesses flourish during a time of uncertainty and strife. Sharon owes all of her thanks to the locals, “This community will do whatever it takes to ensure that their businesses succeed – because I can tell you, this community is really and truly all about shopping local.” The proof? It’s seen among the three Zest storefronts on Main Street.
Food as Love
When considering how to piece together the legacy of investment and the value of local communities, Sharon told a story about a moment she shared recently with her granddaughter.
While walking through the grocery store's produce section, Sharon’s granddaughter spotted an unknown food and pointed to it.
“What is that?” She asked with eager curiosity.
“Those are apricots,” Sharon replied, excited to introduce a new food to her grandchildren, “Let’s get some to take home and try.”
“But what if I don’t like it?” Her granddaughter asked with hesitation.
Sharon answered with immeasurable joy, “Then don’t eat it, but that is the fun of trying new things!”
Sharon explained that her family has always taken food seriously, never showing fear when trying something new – instead, they try things for the potential of unlocking doors of possibility. Just as with her women’s committee exposing a career path, her first student gaining unabashed confidence in the kitchen, entrepreneurs taking their first steps, and children’s curiosity being introduced to flavors and creativity – Sharon reminds us that it all circles back to the act of trying, showing bravery in the kitchen, and witnessing how food conjures love with every single bite.
