Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennie Groff.
Hi Jennie , so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
At the Lancaster Sweet Shoppe, our hope is to bring our values of faith and family together for an amazing experience for everyone who comes out for a treat. We keep our shop family-centered by featuring sweets that will make you smile, no matter how old you are!
Jonathan and Jennie Groff own the Lancaster Sweet Shoppe and are also owners of Stroopies, Inc. which operates out of the Lancaster Sweet Shoppe. Their favorite part of Stroopies, Inc. is the opportunity to welcome resettled refugee women who are learning English to make the delicious cinnamon waffle cookies, best designed to rewarm on your favorite hot beverage or of course to be enjoyed with our very own Lancaster Sweet Shoppe ice cream.
The Groff Family is proud to call Lancaster City home. They love to find creative ways to make people feel welcomed in their home city. The Groff’s love the diversity of the city and that the nations of the world are their neighbors. Their four children often can be found working at the Sweet Shoppe, and hope to meet you soon.
When you stop by our shop, the authentic, Dutch stroopwafel irons will be fired up and you can enjoy a fresh, warm stroopie, or maybe you’d prefer some of our own homemade ice cream. We also feature a full line of coffee drinks, tea, and smoothies. We are proud to roast our own fair-traded organic coffee!
Be sure to follow that sweet smell. We’d love to have you!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
In the heart of Lancaster City, where the smell of cinnamon and caramel drifts through North Duke Street, the Lancaster Sweet Shoppe is doing more than serving up fresh treats. Every part of the shop tells a story. It is a space shaped by hospitality, hard work and a commitment to community.
At the center of it all is Jennie Groff, who helps lead both the Lancaster Sweet Shoppe and Stroopies Inc., a social enterprise that creates meaningful jobs for resettled refugee women by making hand-pressed Dutch stroopwafels. The mission is simple but bold. It is to build community through cookies and connection one Stroopie at a time.
Why They Started
The idea for Stroopies began in 2008, when friends Dan and Ed envisioned using stroopwafel making as a way to create jobs for refugee women arriving in Lancaster. At the time, Jennie and her husband Jonathan were already deeply involved in community work, renovating affordable housing and living in a neighborhood where many of their new neighbors were recently resettled families.
Jennie saw the challenges that refugee mothers in particular faced, such as learning a new language, starting over in an unfamiliar place and finding support. She imagined something more than a job. She imagined a workplace where women could feel safe and valued.
Together, the Groffs helped turn that vision into a full-fledged social enterprise. Stroopies became more than a cookie. It became a place of healing and empowerment, where sharing lunch was just as important as clocking in and where everyone belonged at the table.
ASSETS’ Role
In 2015, Stroopies entered and won the Great Social Enterprise Pitch, hosted by ASSETS. The timing was perfect. Stroopies was preparing to launch its new location inside the Lancaster Sweet Shoppe and the pitch gave them a platform to share their story with the community.
ASSETS helped Jennie refine the way she communicated Stroopies’ mission and values, giving her tools to lead with conviction and strategy. When the business faced funding challenges or expansion questions, ASSETS continued to show up with guidance and encouragement.
Looking Ahead
Today, Stroopies employs 23 women, many of whom arrived in Lancaster as refugees. But Jennie knows there is more to be done. More than 75 resettled refugee women remain on the waiting list for work opportunities.
While scaling is not simple, the mission remains clear: grow the product line, reach more retailers and multiply the impact. Jennie is dreaming, planning and trusting that the small, steady work of welcome will continue to ripple outward.
Want to Support?
Every Stroopie tells a story. Every ice cream scoop or cup of coffee helps support a vision of belonging, dignity and community.
Visit the Lancaster Sweet Shoppe in downtown Lancaster to enjoy fresh Stroopies, homemade ice cream, coffee and more. You can also shop online at stroopies.com and follow along on social media to see how this small shop is making a big difference.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Stroopies, our signature product at the Lancaster Sweet Shoppe was launched to provide meaningful employment for the resettled refugee population in Lancaster, PA! We are most proud of our amazing team that make our products and to see how employment social enterprises can help make the world a kinder place!
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Every Stroopie tells a story. Every ice cream scoop or cup of coffee helps support a vision of belonging, dignity and community.
Visit the Lancaster Sweet Shoppe in downtown Lancaster to enjoy fresh Stroopies, homemade ice cream, coffee and more. You can also shop online at stroopies.com and follow along on social media to see how this small shop is making a big difference.
Follow the Lancaster Stroopie Co. on Facebook and Instagram to stay connected and see what’s next.
Follow Lancaster Sweet Shoppe on Facebook and Instagram.
Contact Info:
- Website: info@lancastersweetshoppe.com
