Heritage Kitchen combines faith, family and food
Courtesy of Jessica Hrapczak
Courtesy of Jessica Hrapczak
Courtesy of Jessica Hrapczak
Courtesy of Jessica Hrapczak
Courtesy of Jessica Hrapczak
Courtesy of Jessica Hrapczak
Courtesy of Jessica Hrapczak
From left, Karen Hrapczak, Ray Hrapczak, Amy Hrapczak, Kara Hrapczak, Jessica Hrapczak and Maryann Knott.
Heritage Kitchen in McDonald is a new beginning for the Hrapczak family.
After closing their South Fayette deli, Lion’s Den, in June 2022, Jessica Hrapczak was looking for a way to reinvent the family business.
“I did a lot of praying and soul searching,” the South Fayette resident said. “The food at the Lion’s Den was all my husband, Ray, but I did the baking. Once I decided it was something I wanted to keep doing, we started looking at potential locations.”
While the process wasn’t easy, Hrapczak said they relied on their faith and unwavering determination for support.
“The building at 109 Lincoln Ave. kind of fell into our lap. It sat vacant for a few years and needed completely renovated. We had to put in a kitchen. We had to update the plumbing,” she said. “It was a lot of work, and we did it all ourselves.”
So far, their labor of love has been a success. Each morning, Hrapczak bakes a selection of fresh sweet treats with the help of her daughters, Kara, 12, and Amy, 10. Jessica said her girls are a staple at the bakery.
“The girls are homeschooled, and they’ve learned a lot this past year,” Hrapczak said. “Kara makes all the thumbprints. It’s bittersweet watching them make my grandma’s recipes.”
The cinnamon rolls are their most popular item. Hrapczak and her girls bake three dozen daily. Most days, they sell out.
“They were popular at the Lion’s Den,” Hrapczak said about the cinnamon rolls. “Another popular item is our puff tarts, which are basically homemade Pop Tarts. People just love them.”
Another fan favorite that carried over from the Lion’s Den is the pepperoni rolls. Customers can also find a variety of muffins, lady locks and pies. The pie fillings come from Dutch Valley Restaurant and Bakery in Sugarcreek, Ohio. Hrapczak also creates custom cookies, cakes and cupcakes.
“I make all of my cookies by hand,” she said. “I don’t use stencils.”
Her custom cookies have become so popular that Hrapczak is considering offering cookie-making classes in the future.
“It’s kind of like Painting with a Twist, but this will be paint and bite,” Hrapczak said. “It’s part of the reason that I didn’t use bakery in our name. I don’t want to label us.”
They chose the name Heritage Kitchen to honor the family recipes and influence that have become the bakery’s staples.
“I’m a self-taught baker. I learned in my grandma’s kitchen,” Hrapczak said. “We start with our faith. We wouldn’t be where we are if it weren’t for our beliefs.”
Since opening in May, Hrapczak has donated all her tips to the Imperial Food Bank, a cause close to her heart.
“There have been times in my life where I benefited from a food pantry,” Hrapczak said. “Food should never be an issue for people.”
The family is always looking for ways to give back to the community. When there are leftover treats, Hrapczak donates them to Meals on Wheels in McDonald.
“We try to donate as much as we can.”
As Heritage Kitchen grows, Hrapczak hopes to build an enduring community staple.
“I really hope the girls can take over one day,” she said. “But for now, I’m taking it day by day. I’m leaving it all up to God.”