Ingredients For a Growing Business in the Downtown

BY SULLY PINOS | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, BLOOM BUSINESS EMPOWERMENT CENTER

Sweet Mama’s Mambo Sauce, part of Cooking with the Pros LLC, and owned by Jennifer Heasley, has been manufacturing flavorful dining sauces for over 4 years in Downtown York. In addition to the sauces, Jen has grown her company footprint to include catering, grab-and-go lunch options, and an events arm. All of this taking place right out of Central Market’s Yorkitchen, in the heart of the downtown.

Q&A with Jennifer Heasley | OWNER SWEET MAMA’S MAMBO SAUCE/ COOKING WITH THE PROS LLC

Q: Why did you expand your business in Downtown York?

A: Opening a stand in Central Market felt like the next organic step for the business. Also, as a retired York City School teacher and coach, many of my relationships in this area have been built within the city. Therefore, expanding in a downtown space felt most natural for me. Since opening, I’ve been able to participate in themed weeks such as Taco Week, Restaurant Week, and others that have grown my company’s brand and recognition in Downtown York.

Q: How did you develop the events & catering part of the business?

A: While teaching at Hannah Penn, I (along with a fantastic staff) organized the "Soul Food Cook-Off", which featured families, teachers, students, and other community members cooking together, and was held in February in honor of Black History Month. This event was honestly one of the greatest things I have ever been a part of. Recently, I launched Sweet Mama's Soul Food Sundays, which is a concept based on the brunch atmosphere you see in larger markets. In November of 2021, I launched my first Sweet Mama's Soul Food Sunday at fellow Downtown business, Hamir's Indian Fusion and it was a big success!

Q: How did you end up entering the sauce making environment?

A: The sauce part of the brand came out of the catering company. For several years, I wrote a food blog, “Cooking With The Pros” as well as produced a cooking show of the same title. The platform of the blog/show was sports and food, and would often focus on foods that are traditional in different cities as it applies to their sports team. “Mambo” is unique to the DMV specifically to Washington DC and it took me about 6 months to master the sauce. When I retired from teaching and started to cater, I would add the sauce to orders for chicken and pulled pork. That is when people told me I should start bottling my sauce.

Q: What’s on the horizon for your business?

A: I’m currently working on “York’s Greatest Tailgating Festival” as an inaugural event at PeoplesBank Park on October 29. This event will bring together sports fans, small business vendors and most importantly, provide a game day experience highlighting menu options from local food service businesses. Attendees will also have an opportunity to familiarize themselves with Downtown York.

Q: Where can someone find your sauces?

A: Initially, we only had the original flavor, but we now carry eight flavors. Our sauce is sold in Giant Grocery Stores, Superior Meats, Brewie Louie's, Amazon, our stand in Central Market, as well as our online store: sweetmamasmambosauce.com.

Sweet Mama’s Mambo Sauce was also a recent recipient of a Downtown York BLOOM Grant, along with 12 other businesses in the Business Improvement District. As you make your plans for shopping this season, please consider visiting any of these businesses and the many more thriving in our downtown!

34 West Philadelphia St Inside Central Market | sweetmamasmambosauce.com

For more information about the BLOOM Business Empowerment Center, visit YCEApa.org/BLOOM