Conversations with Jennifer Horne

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Horne.

Hi Jennifer, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story? 
I grew up in Stedman with my family owning a Furniture Store since the 60’s and because of that, I was able to really be a part of the Community since a young age. I’ve been a part of the ladies’ auxiliary for the Stedman Fire Dept. since I was young and help with other community events when I’m needed, or volun-told by my mom. After High School, I went straight to college, and though I did go back and graduate from ECU, it wasn’t the time when I was 17. Instead, I worked at different Food Industry places until I got the opportunity to travel for work as a Flight Attendant. While that was a short adventure, it allowed me to see the country in a unique way. 

After I left Greenville in 2013, I moved home and work in the service industry bartending and serving, and loved getting to know the people around Fayetteville. In 2018 I had the opportunity to open The Stedman Soda Shop, which has been a part the community since the 40’s, and has enjoyed getting to know the town in a new environment. Since then, me, and my staff, have worked hard to provide the best experience in old-school dining with good food and smiles. 

While we are known burgers and dogs the way they have been done for decades as well as provide meal options for those who want some vegetables. 

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
One of my biggest obstacles has been myself in some ways. I have many passions and interests, such as traveling, cooking, animals, writing, and making people smile. So, I struggled with what I wanted to do and sometimes felt like I was floundering and not able to really stand on my own 2 feet. There have also been many personal challenges that were hard to overcome. I lost one of my uncles when he was still young and had more life to live and grandbabies, he didn’t get the pleasure of getting to know. While that was hard, the hardest had to actually be losing his daughter, my cousin Carrie, when she was 35. She was 2 years older than me and there was never a time in my life that she wasn’t some part of. We fought and butted heads over the years, but I can honestly say that I lost my lifelong best friend that night. Losing her also led to having to tell her 2 young children that they would never be able to hug their mother again. 

I am also very ADD, and sometimes that me to have anxiety because I feel I can’t always get everything done that needs to be done. Learning how to stop hyper-focusing in the small things and look at the bigger picture is a daily struggle. 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I have always had a passion for the arts and making people happy through creative venues. While in school, theater it was my favorite class to participate in bringing to life many characters with some of my closest friends to this day. As I got older, writing became my creative outlet, and I majored in English and Film Studies at ECU. While I ended up not in that career field, I have been able to get some of my acting chops out in the service industry with a smile because waiting tables is a bunch of little performances every day. You need to be able to read people and know what type of service they prefer with a smile. 

Now, with the Soda Shop in Stedman, I get to get to know the community better while developing recipes for them to enjoy daily. I love being able to put certain spices, meats, and broths together to come up with the perfect Vegetable Beef Soup or piling Mustard, Onion, Slaw, and Chili on a Burger to create an old school, Carolina Burger. My favorite things to make is everything that comes from scratch like the French Fry Seasoning, Bar-B-Que Sauce, and Soups. It’s like writing a life story through food. 

The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you, and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
It has been eye-opening to watch the differences in people’s beliefs and where they stand on the issue. Some people shocked me in how they reacted, and many were exactly who I thought they were. The most important thing I learned was the importance of community, being there for each other no matter what, and also accepting people’s differences. 

Pricing:

• Breakfast starts around $7.50 for a Plate
• Lunch Plates start around $12.00 a Plate

Contact Info:

• Facebook: StedmanSodaShop,Inc

Image Credits
Tonya Bridges
Bobby Bridges
Emily Laing
Jennifer Horne
Michael Taylor
Jackie West
Brooklinn Anderson