By Steffen Klenk
On the corner of Poplar and Wabash Avenue sits a quaint establishment. There you’ll find a popular spot for locals to hang out, enjoy a cup of coffee, indulge in ice cream, or engage in conversation with friends. Since its inception in 2018, Jessie’s of Linwood has become a mainstay to the Linwood community. Owner Jessica Maher discovered the building while walking the bike path with her two dogs and her now-husband, Chris. “He was like ‘That building needs to be an ice cream and coffee place one day.’”
In 1901, the building was built by a man named Adolf Stuber, who opened Stuber’s General Market, a store that sold everything from household supplies to canned foods. He and his family lived in the house next door, which still stands today. Eventually, a gas pump was installed in front, and for many years, the store would become a central hub for motorists in the local and surrounding communities.
Adolf’s daughter, Elsie, took over the business and continued running the store until the 1950s as a successful entrepreneur. The store changed hands numerous times, becoming an Abbott’s in the ‘50s. The store was later purchased by Frank Byron, who renamed the store Linwood Market. Also known as the “Little Red Store,” thanks to the building’s red exterior, the market served as a convenience store, selling everyday items such as milk, eggs, bread and cereal. “My husband, Chris, remembers coming in as a little kid to get baseball cards and candy,” Maher describes.
Throughout its history, this small corner store would become a central hub for the community. The Linwood Market closed its doors in 2016. In 2017, the building was purchased by Jessie, and renovations began shortly thereafter. Maher says because of its location within a residential neighborhood, a lot of TLC went into the renovation process. “We rebuilt it from the inside out without knocking it down,” she explains.
Much of the building’s original parts are still visible throughout the store. Patrons will instantly notice the exposed brick outlining the front of the cafe. The original floorboards were installed around the ice cream case. With the help of some old photographs, she was even able to find the same door trim used back in the day.
Jessie’s of Linwood officially opened on Memorial Day weekend in 2018. In its first year, the café sold ice cream and coffee exclusively. Over time, their lineup of offerings has expanded to include a rotating lunch menu with sandwiches, scrumptious baked goods and a variety of breakfast items. “We have a little bit of everything going on in here,” Maher says.
Throughout its history, the building has become a central hub for the community, and that same feeling still resonates today. Several students at Mainland Regional High School’s continuing education program go in for internships three times a week. They also have a few employees who have Down syndrome. Maher says her goal of employing differently-abled people is coming to fruition. “It has been a huge success. We’re a spot where kids come in every day and can see that people who might look a little different than them are actually the same.”
Through the day-to-day operations of fixing broken machines and faulty faucets, Jessie’s dedicated staff has made it through the most challenging of days, even the pandemic. Maher is grateful for the support of the community. “Any day that you come in here, it is a positive place for both the customers and staff. I’m super thankful for everybody that has wanted to be part of it.”
Steffen Klenk is a multimedia journalist. He resides in Ocean City and enjoys capturing the eclectic moments of shore life.
