We had the good fortune of connecting with Jessica Rothacker and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jessica, we’d love to start by asking you about lessons learned. Is there a lesson you can share with us?
Flexibility. If anything is certain, it is that things will not go as planned. I am not a person that rolls with things easily, and I have had to learn to let go and figure out how to make things happen despite staffing shortages, a global pandemic, supply chain issues, nebulous unknowns, and differences in vision. It is both freeing and very nerve racking at the same time.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Heirloom is a neighborhood farm to table restaurant in Athens, GA. Established in 2011, we have had several personalities along the way. The last two years have been a bright point as it seems that we have finally fallen into step with who we should have always been. Our mission is to create community, celebrate local farmers, and tell a story through food. I would never call what we do easy, but any business faces its own challenges. We have been lucky enough to have a really great core crew that has pushed us over some mountains and kept us going until we could move on our own again. It’s always our people that help us overcome. The main lesson I have learned along the way is that any business is about the people more than it is about the product. Knowing what motivates your people and how to keep them happy will keep your business going when everything else seems to be slipping.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
A week long visit to Athens, you say? I could fill that up easily.

Saturday morning would start with breakfast at Farm Cart then a stroll through the Athens Farmers Market at Bishop Park. We would go home for some downtime then pack a little picnic of local goodies that we picked up at market and go to the State Botanical Garden of Georgia for a stroll along the river, through the terraces or flowers, and finally a visit to the children’s garden forest play space for a sit in the flying squirrel’s nest. We would end the night at Creature Comforts for some beers under the pavilion.

Sunday breakfast would start with an online order from Cafe Racer in Crawford. We would drive on out to the double drive through, pick up some biscuits and donuts, and then if it were summertime, we would take them over to Long Shot Farms to picnic and then pick blueberries and figs. We might catch a matinee at Ciné and then head next door to the National for cocktails and dinner.

Monday is a day of downtime in Athens, as a lot of spots are closed, but we would likely bake something yummy from our fruit harvest and then take it out to our friends at the Pastures of Rose Creek in Watkinsville. We would chat with farmer William Breedlove, and take a stroll on the farm, stopping in to see William’s wife Lori in her studio at Rose Creek Pottery. Their honor system farm stand makes for a perfect visit any day of the week. While in Watkinsville, a stop in at New Creations Soda Works, Kiki’s Bakeshop, and OCAF would round out the day. Monday night is the perfect evening for ZZ & Simone’s, Athens’ hot new Italian spot. Craft cocktails, traditional Roman fare, and homemade icecream will leave you in a food coma.

Tuesday would start with breakfast at Little City Diner in Winterville followed by a stroll down the Firefly Trail through the historic homes of downtown Winterville. Lunch would be a drop in at the Daily Co-op for sandwiches, kombucha, and a popsicle to eat at one of the tables out front. The afternoon would be a perfect time to visit the Lyndon House Art Center for a stroll through their galleries. Then a stop at The Lark Wineshop for a few glasses of wine with some cheese & tinned fish would round out our day.

Wednesday we would stop in 1000 Faces coffee for a pastry and a coffee and take a stroll on the Greenway. A late lunch and a beer at Hilo in Normaltown would turn into some early evening bar hopping to The Old Pal and Normal Bar, finishing off with some slices to go at Automatic Pizza.

Thursday we head to Sips for caffeine fortification and a bagel from Nedza’s then head over to campus for a wander through the Georgia Museum of Art and the galleries at the Lamar Dodd School of Art at UGA. From there it’s a quick hop over to 5 Points, where we would grab a sweet treat at Condor Chocolates, peruse the shelves of Avid Bookshop, and grab some bread to eat with dinner from Independent Baking Company.

Friday is a day to recover and take it easy. We would grab a leisurely breakfast at Buvez, play a board game, and watch the trains go by until it is time for my friend to say goodbye.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Most importantly, I’d like to thank my family for all the support they have shown me. My husband and children have lost countless hours of family time with me to my commitment to my business. My mother has been my ultimate cheerleader and honest truth giver. Finally, my father, who is my business partner has been such a guidestone and the best support someone could ask for.

The folks at Muss & Turner’s in Smyrna gave me my first shot in the kitchen. For that I am forever grateful. I have modeled our business culture after what I witnessed there. I also worked under my chef mentor, Dave Sturgis, first in that kitchen. He taught me how to stand up for myself and keep moving through the weeds. I would never be where I am now if he hadn’t taken me under his wing.

The Boulevard Neighborhood has been such a lovely place to call home, and we would be nothing without their support.

The greater Athens local farming and food scenes have been so nurturing and community oriented and I appreciate that oh so much. We have especially loved working with Collective Harvest, Woodland Gardens, Ladybird Farm, The Pastures of Rose Creek, and Comfort Farms.

Finally, we have had so many great people on our staff through our life as a business that have made us who we are. I appreciate each and every person who has chosen to spend their time working with us.

Website: www.heirloomathens.com

Instagram: @heirloomathens @soundingsandfathoms

Facebook: HeirloomAthens

Image Credits
Brandon Amato

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