Off Menu with Stacy’s Kitchen

In an old grocery store with a car wash attached in Old Town Erie, Stacy’s Kitchen has quickly become a beloved destination for hearty sandwiches, fresh-baked pies, sweet treats, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. For owner Stacy Gustafson, this isn’t just a business; it’s the culmination of a lifelong passion, a deep connection to food, and a desire to bring quality food to her hometown.

Stacy’s journey into the world of food started long before the doors of her sandwich shop ever opened. It traces back to her childhood in Virginia, where she spent summers with her grandmother on a 16-acre patch of land. “I remember baking pies with her when I was just nine years old,” Stacy recalled, her voice lilting with nostalgia. “There wasn’t anything else to do. She taught me how to make the best, simplest pie crust. That was my first real connection to food.”

Fast forward to the early 2010s, when Stacy began to entertain the idea of opening a diner. “I was raising my girls and doing childcare at the time, but I knew I could do this,” she said. She put together a business plan, but a divorce and several life changes made her question whether she could manage it all. But a supportive friend, Ronda Grassi, kept encouraging her. “Ronda wouldn’t let me quit. She kept saying, ‘You can do this,'” Stacy remembered with a smile. In 2022, an unexpected opportunity emerged when the previous owner of a local shop decided to close. Stacy signed a lease in December 2022, and by March 3, 2023 — on her birthday — Stacy’s Kitchen opened its doors.

“Why Erie?” is a question Stacy gets asked often. She answered simply: “I live here, and I love Old Town. It reminds me of the small town where I grew up in New Jersey.” The decision to open Stacy’s Kitchen in Erie was about more than just location — it was about creating a sense of community. “I wanted my business to be in the same town where I raise my girls. I wanted to serve food I believe in, and be a part of the fabric of this town.”

Stacy’s Kitchen has quickly become a favorite stop for both locals and visitors. “I think we stand out because we offer simple, affordable food,” Stacy said. “There are a lot of fancy, sit-down places in Erie, but we’re here to provide something different — good food at a good price.” Whether it’s a fresh, hand-cut sandwich or a slice of homemade pie, Stacy’s Kitchen prides itself on quality and simplicity.

For Stacy, crafting a great sandwich is all about fresh ingredients and a commitment to quality. “You can’t have a great sandwich without good bread, freshly sliced meats, and fresh vegetables,” she explained. “We buy veggies fresh every day — nothing stale, nothing pre-packaged.” Stacy’s sandwiches have earned a loyal following, with favorites like the toasted Italian, Reuben, and egg salad sandwich regularly flying off the counter.

When she steps into the kitchen each morning, Stacy is filled with excitement. “I work in the quiet and the dark, say good morning to my shop, and then I get started.” There’s no rush, no pressure — just the joy of doing what she loves every day. Her approach to food is simple: “Just make it good. That’s my philosophy. If I wouldn’t eat it myself, I won’t serve it.”

While Stacy’s Kitchen has enjoyed much success, it hasn’t been without challenges. One of the hardest lessons, she admits, is learning to never over-order ingredients. “That’s a real challenge in this business,” she said. Despite the ups and downs, Stacy has never doubted her decision to open Stacy’s Kitchen. “I’ve never had a moment where I thought this wasn’t going to work. This is what I’ve always wanted to do,” she said with conviction. “I love what I do, and I love the people I work with.”

What truly sets Stacy’s Kitchen apart is the emotional connection Stacy shares with her customers. “It’s not just about the food — it’s about the relationships,” she explained. “One of my regulars, I call him the ‘Apple Pie Man,’ has been coming in since we opened. He is in his late 70s battling cancer and asked her to promise something: “He said, ‘If you don’t see me for a while, look at the sky, wave, and I’ll wave back.’ It was such a special moment,” Stacy reflected, tears welling in her eyes. “He’s still doing well, and we’re still happy to see him every week.”

Looking ahead, Stacy has big plans for Stacy’s Kitchen. “I’d love to acquire the entire space and open up more seating with garage doors,” she said. “I’d love to offer dinner a few times a week and expand the menu, but for now, I’m limited by the space I have.”

For Stacy, running a bakery and sandwich shop isn’t just a job — it’s a life’s work. It’s about food, yes, but it’s also about connection, community, and creating a place where people can feel at home. Stacy’s Kitchen offers more than a meal — It offers a taste of something much deeper: the warmth of a place that feels like home.