Jackie Folts opened Jackie’s Restaurant at 3688 state Highway 28 in Milford when she was 24 years old. That was 34 years ago.
The restaurant serves breakfast and lunch year-round. Jackie’s is open from 6:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. seven days a week all summer.
“Summer is by far our busiest time of year,” she said. “The visitors who travel to our area are a huge part of what keeps our business going, and we are incredibly thankful for their support.”
Local residents support the restaurant year-round, she said. For example, Charlie Markle is 98 years old.
“He comes to the restaurant every morning for breakfast,” Folts said. Rotary club members sometimes get together at Jackie’s, too.
Folts has lived in the area her whole life. She was born in Milford. After 34 years in business in the same location, she said, “We have kids who grew up here and then they have brought their kids and their kids have brought their kids.
“We also appreciate our local customers and are thankful for everyone who chooses to support us throughout the year,” she said.
Although Folts is the sole owner of the business, she employs three people full-time, all of whom are family members.
“My two sisters, Brenda Alton and Sue Sisson, have been working with me pretty much from the get-go,” she said. “My niece, Brooke Sisson, has worked here a long time too.”
Her daughter, Jordyn Scott, recently started working a couple days a week at the restaurant and posts on the business’ TikTok account, she said.
Keeping Jackie’s running for more than three decades has been a family affair. Several nephews have mowed the lawn and come up with new menu items such as the Lewis wrap and the Ryan wrap, named after nephews Lewis Winchester and Ryan Winchester.
Folts’ other sister, Vicki Winchester, worked for the restaurant for 20 years.
After the summer rush, Jackie’s is closed on Mondays. Weekends are her busiest during the off season, she said.
When asked how she decided to serve breakfast and lunch only, Folts said, “I am a morning person.”
She cherishes family time.
“I like to be home and have a home life, although in the summer that is still difficult because you are always working on something for the business.”
She called her business “a traditional diner with a modern twist,” and said,. “We sell a lot of omelets, blueberry pancakes, bacon and cold-brew coffee.”
Jackie’s offers turkey club sandwiches and apple pie ala mode. Her iced coffees, frappes and wraps are a more modern addition to typical diner menu items.
“Our RJ wrap is pretty popular,” Folts said. “My nephew created it and it is named after him.” The wrap invented by Robert John Alton is a combination of chicken, bacon and cheese in a garlic wrap.
Folts built her own website, JackiesMenu.com, using Squarespace. She said a lot of hours went into photographing and listing every item on her menu. She has expanded the website over time after starting off small.
“DoorDash and online ordering have really increased our business,” Folts said. “It reaches people who are farther away.” The business also takes phone-in, take-out orders and provides curbside service. “We will bring (your food) out to you,” she said.
People may not realize what goes into running a business, she said. After hours, there is scheduling, accounting, ordering, shopping for groceries, problem solving and marketing her business. For instance, Folts drops off menus at area motels and campgrounds.
When Brewery Ommegang has big concerts, visitors have breakfast at Jackie’s before heading home. Parent weekends at the local colleges also generate extra foot traffic.
“I set up a point-of-sale system when we had to close for 2 1/2 weeks for COVID,” Folts said. Prior to automating and computerizing customer orders, she was using paper and doing everything manually. “… It was one of the best decisions that has kept us alive through the aftermath of COVID.”
Another key to her success was making a low offer when she purchased the building on State Highway 28. “It needed a lot of work,” Folts said. She obtained a loan through NBT Bank. The Small Business Association guaranteed 90% of the loan.
“…In order for them to do that, I had to do a whole business plan to show the bank how I was going to make it,” she said. “I got the keys on July 17, 1992. I opened on Aug. 28, 1992, a day after my 24th birthday.”
“To be successful, you’ve got to love what you do,” Folts said. She said she has no plans to retire.
For more information, visit JackiesMenu.com.