Jessica, the heart and hands behind Our Recipe Roots, describes her burgeoning business with a simple yet evocative phrase: “Heirloom recipes soaked in memories of the past.” More than just pies and cinnamon rolls, Our Recipe Roots is about “treasuring our heritage one bite at a time.” For Jessica, it’s a passion project that blossomed from something far deeper than just income. As she shares on her blog, old recipe boxes are portals to cherished memories, and inherited recipes unlock floods of nostalgia unlike anything else.
Initially, in 2020, Jessica juggled special orders alongside her office manager job, spending evenings and weekends baking. Deliveries were squeezed into her daily commute, and a sweet opportunity arose with her parents’ business, Flat Rock Cinema. Mini-pies became a cinema treat, a hit with moviegoers, and organically grew Our Recipe Roots as a side venture.
Then, the unforeseen pandemic arrived.
When her office job became untenable, Jessica saw a chance to nurture her baking dream fully. Encouraged by her husband Brooks, she embraced the newfound time and ramped up production. Easter 2020 marked a turning point: “I said, all right, we’re going a hundred percent.” With Flat Rock Cinema temporarily closed, its kitchen equipment found new purpose in Jessica’s hands. Leading up to Mother’s Day, she poured her energy into fulfilling orders, baking 90 pies and 50 pans of cinnamon rolls for pre-orders and walk-in customers. What began as a heartfelt hobby rooted in family recipes was blossoming into a thriving business, all while keeping the spirit of Flat Rock Cinema subtly alive through shared family connections and entrepreneurial drive.
