Jennie Groff has worked for more than a decade creating a home not only for delicious Dutch stroopwafel cookies, but for refugee women who have resettled right here in Lancaster. After Jennie and her husband acquired Lancaster Stroopie Co. in 2010, they began building their all women’s production crew, now making more than 10,000 stroopies per week. Their location at 141 N Duke St is also home to the beloved Lancaster Sweet Shoppe, which showcases fresh stroopies as well as various candies, ice cream, coffee and other local artist’s merchandise. You may recognize the last name Groff – as in Groff’s Candies. Jennie’s husband Jonathan comes from a family of local candy makers who have been in operation in Lancaster for more than 40 years. All of this, combined with Jennie’s amazing entrepreneurial spirit and inspiring values, have given us Lancaster Stroopie Co. as we know and love it today!
Jennie has had an eye for business ever since she was a child, stemming from a small drink bottling business on the dairy farm she grew up on. She continued on with her passion for business and entrepreneurship as she watched her friends create the Stroopies business in 2008. Little did she know, 2 years later she would be taking the reigns with her husband by her side.
Stroopies has something special. They are a successful for-profit social enterprise venture which focuses on giving back to others. Think TOMs shoes, which were very popular for their “shoe-for-shoe” business model that helped them boost their image as well as their profits. With every pair of shoes you buy from them, they will donate a pair to a child in need. As for Stroopies, each treat you purchase from them helps to grow their local small business as well as support the women they employ. This includes more than just an enriching work life, Jennie has worked to create an incredible community for her staff, inside and outside the shop.
Lancaster city is the perfect place for Jennie’s vision and work to come to life. The City of Lancaster completed an evaluation to become a Certified Welcoming City by “Welcoming America”, meaning that Lancaster city met the following framework categories that define a truly welcoming place: Government Leadership, Equitable Access, Civic Engagement, Connected Communities, Education, Economic Development, and Safe Communities. Since 2017, Lancaster city has been known as “America’s Refugee Capital”, since we have taken on 20 times more refugees per capita than the rest of the US. We have a deeply rooted 300+ year history of being a safe haven for refugees, going back to the 18th century when Amish and Mennonite communities fled persecution in the 18th century.
It is very important to understand the unique needs and challenges faced by your employees, and as a female entrepreneur, Jennie is no stranger to the struggles that women face. She has strived to create a safe, flexible and nurturing work environment. Stroopies employees are a family, including employee care workers that help teach English and provide wrap-around services to the women as a part of the paid work day. She says “You know, honestly, I think the greatest impact is just the new community of friends that Stroopies has become for the women who are starting their lives over in a new place. None of the refugee women on our team wanted to leave their countries.. they were forced to leave.. and in the process their loved ones are scattered all throughout the world. I learn so much from the women that have come…they are full of gratitude and so thankful for things that we take for granted. The women on our team are truly my heroes, and I am full of gratitude that we get the privilege to live life together at our place of work.”
This is a truly beautiful sentiment from Jennie, showing her passion for what she does. It is inspiring to see another female entrepreneur be able to offer a safe space and a feeling of community to women in a time that would be otherwise difficult and potentially isolating. Stroopies has a reach across the globe, from Sudan, Syria, Congo, Burma, Nepal, Eritrea, and right here in Lancaster. In life, each person has their own experiences that have shaped them into who they are today. Jennie says that she is able to learn new things within her work environment as well, and the importance of an enriching environment doesn’t only apply to her staff.
She shared a story from her early days at Stroopies that speaks to the importance of learning from others, and making that sentiment a part of your every day life:
“I remember early on, my colleagues who have come to Lancaster from around the world, taught me an important lesson. Typically in a Western workplace, everyone gets their lunch out and eats what they have brought. My team taught me that it is much more exciting to share what we brought at lunch. I remember they cut up my boring peanut butter and jelly sandwich and shared it. The point was not what was brought, but that it was shared. Still, to this day, I probably still bring the most boring things to lunch! I so appreciate my team, for helping to create this culture at work…life’s better when it is shared!”
Stroopies and Jennie’s work has been shared as far as the UNHCR US, which is The UN Refugee Agency. The UNHCR highlighted Jennie’s work and the story of one of her employee’s, Mary. Mary has been able to grow within the community, starting as an assembly team member, she worked her way into her new role as a manager for new hires.
Every year on June 20th, people across the globe celebrate World Refugee Day. This is a day to highlight the people who have been forced to flee their home countries, and have now made their homes within new communities – including Lancaster. We are lucky to be able to live in a city where outside culture is appreciated, welcomed and celebrated. Jennie is an amazing example of the possibilities of the reach of a business if you are willing to put in the time, effort and care to foster connections with your staff. Stroopies is a beacon of light to refugees that have made their home within the area, as well as to members of the community hoping to share their support to a business that truly embodies inclusivity and equity.
If you haven’t visited the Lancaster Sweet Shoppe, or even if you’re a regular, consider showing some extra support to the women of Stroopies Inc. this summer. Check out their storefront’s website to see what’s in the shoppe, create custom Stroopies for an event, or get a “Stroopies Groupie” subscription.
If my convincing isn’t enough, take it from Jennie, “Please come visit us at the Lancaster Sweet Shoppe…share Stroopies, the coffee that the women roast, or the homemade ice cream that they make with your loved ones as gifts…get involved with a local refugee family. Church World Services and Bethany Services are always looking for groups and families that will help a new neighbor family as they are getting started over in a new place.
Use what you have in your hands to be a blessing…if it can work with a Stroopie it can work with whatever is offered.”
Femme Foodie - Lancaster, PA 
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