Eat Fresh, Eat Local, Eat Here
Jake, Pat and Ken Stocum outside Jake's Farmers Market Restaurant located in Southern Pines. Deborah Salomon
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Not one, not two, but three fine F-words describe the new eatery in Southern Pines village: Farm. Fresh. Family.
Jake’s Farmers Market Restaurant at the corner of Broad Street and Illinois Avenue grew, literally, from the Family Farmers Market operated by three generations of the Stocum family on West Pennsylvania Avenue from 1995 to 2005.
The market there featured outdoor tables. The Stocums cooked and served classic Southern meals featuring fresh produce. Their new project — bustling, pristine and indoors — threw a switch for longtime customers wanting a lunch of meat, two sides and cornbread for less than a sandwich costs elsewhere.
“The place on Pennsylvania Avenue was good when you had to sit out in the cold, so we figured it’d be even better inside,” says Ken Barnes, lunching with his mates from Fowler Electric.
And although Barnes’ co-worker David Wicker knows that other places headline locally grown vegetables, “They’re just not cooked like Mom did.”
At Jake’s, the “Mom” is Jacob Stocum’s grandmother, Pat Stocum. She bakes the pies from scratch, including crusts. Jake, 23, has been crowned the legal and financial owner after selling a piece of land, a graduation gift, and his tractor-trailer for start-up funds.
“We borrowed no money,” proudly states Jake, who works the grill 14 hours a day. “Every plate that goes out has my name on it. I want it right.”
Jake has been working since fourth grade, when he milked his own cows.
Jake’s dad, Ken Stocum, wholesale produce grower and entrepreneur, speaks with the tongue of a marketing maestro: “We don’t own a can opener. You won’t see any commercial food supply trucks in our parking lot. We bought these tables and chairs at auction. Our grill cost $400; a new one costs $6,000.”
In fact, Ken says with dubious pride, “Everything in this business came from somebody who didn’t make it.”
According to the National Restaurant Association, even before the current recession, 75 percent of new restaurants failed within the first year because of undercapitalization.
Jake’s sister Sarah, a hairdresser, works the evening shift. His girlfriend Erin Roberts manages the front, and a 9-year-old nephew occasionally washes dishes.
Family? You bet.
But the bee buzzing loudest in Ken Stocum’s bonnet is the locavore concept: Build meals around locally grown meat and produce. This ancient market-garden practice is enjoying a renaissance that began more than a decade ago in higher-end restaurants and has trickled down to diner-type establishments.
The Stocums serve free-range poultry and look forward to locally raised beef — “so you’ll know what they’re fed,” Ken says. Bratwurst from John Council in Shannon sold out in a few hours.
“North Carolina has a long tradition of sales from farmers directly to restaurants,” says Jim Knight, media director of marketing for the N.C. Dept. of Agriculture’s Consumer Division. “High end restaurants can afford to react seasonally whereas in a diner you expect to find (the same items) year-round.”
Not at Jake’s, where a new menu is printed daily according to availability. As for moderate pricing, Ken believes, “You can shear a sheep 100 times but you can’t skin him but once.”
Jake’s opened quietly on Oct. 25. Word spread like soft butter on hot corn. By noon, parking spaces are scarce at the former Old Timers/H&R Block location. A beer and wine license is pending, but the Stocums opted to open without it.
“We wanted to be known as a restaurant, not a bar,” Ken says.
A family restaurant. Tables are pushed together to accommodate several generations, especially on Sunday. Present a church bulletin and receive 10 percent off an old-fashioned farm-style dinner.
Black-eyed peas, squash casserole and fried pickles, anyone?
Just one word is needed to describe what has happened at Broad and Illinois. It starts with an S:
Success.
Contact Deborah Salomon at debsalomon@nc.rr.com
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Comments
SoPinesNo1 2 years, 6 months ago
I haven't dined here yet, but I'm looking forward to it. All the best to the Stocum family. Please try and make this a restaurant that only features and serves locally grown food.
TooHot 2 years, 6 months ago
What's the deal with that mustache?
KarenH 2 years, 6 months ago
The food here is really good. Home cooking like your grandma made. The only problem is getting there before your favorites are sold out or being able to get a table. Southern hospitality at it's best- the pie ain't bad either!
nothingspecial 2 years, 6 months ago
colesue, feel free to stay home, that's just more great food for the rest of us. We love it that the same great cooking from the old farmer's market is back.
Mr. Stocum wears a beard net while in the kitchen. He's a great cook, and a gracious host, which are the most important things folks look for in a great place.
jake07 2 years, 6 months ago
ColeSue I just want you to know the man in the mustache is my father who works non stop in this restaurant and puts his heart and soul into every dish that comes out of this kitchen and if that doesnt fit your criteria then please go to mcdonalds for lunch. Thank you Jake Stocum.
SoPinesNo1 2 years, 6 months ago
Hang in there Jake, I'm sure you'll survive just fine without ColeSue and ChuckTaylor, they'll just be more for the rest of your dining crowd. Will you do your best to use only locally grown/raised products, or at least strive for a high percentage of local versus mass produced?
doglover 2 years, 6 months ago
Its nice to see a young man who clearly loves and respects his father. Sounds like to me Jake is just speaking from his heart. The only comment that seems defensive is ChuckTaylor. Are you really that concerned about a restauraunt? Seems a little mean spirited to me but then again everyone has an oppinion. I personally think the restauraunt is great!
truckin 2 years, 6 months ago
Great food! Great people! Congratulations Jake on the opening of your restauraunt! Dont worry the kinks will work themselves out!
truckin 2 years, 6 months ago
Hes 23 and a restauraunt owner. Wow! Hes doing alot better than me at 23 very cool! Hmmm where was I at 23? Definately not a BUISNESS owner. Im sure theyre will surely be some bumps in the road, but in my oppinion you sure are on a great path!
Zoey 2 years, 6 months ago
I know too much and I care too little...
JCR262 2 years, 6 months ago
My husband and I took our kids, ages 2 and 6, here one Saturday afternoon. Mr. Stocum came right to our table and greeted us. He took the time to get to know us. The food was excellent, fresh! The restaurant even offers a vegetable plate, where you can get 3-4 vegetables and bread. The price was very reasonable as well. We will be back! Keep up the good work!
CLA88 2 years, 6 months ago
I think these comments that these two people are leaving are absolutely pathetic!! This is a wonderful family who I know on a personal basis, and they have been in the food business for years. Yes, I completely agree that excellent sanitation and hygiene is important in any food related business but people should not be personally hurting someone and a new business by just plain rudeness!! I know this family cares a lot about pleasing everyone and they have great food. Personally, I feel these two people might just need to go around and visit some other restaurants and find out that all restaurants have their faults and they can be worked out without insulting comments such as this!! Good luck to Jake's Farmers Market Restaurant!! I know you all will do great!! We definitely needed a restaurant in Southern Pines that serves just good ole' country, southern food and that is just what this restaurant offers!!
TheDirtyDizz 2 years, 6 months ago
Yeah, insulting customers. That'll put people in your restaurant. Chuck Taylor is beyond right. My dad owns 4 successful restaurants, and he never once said to someone "maybe you should go eat at McDonalds". Maybe your workers should be well groomed, and maybe the owner should be well mannered.
Ah well. Just another local place that'll go under.
Ross 2 years, 6 months ago
Amazing. - A simple column about a family restaurant that generates more rancor than ol Dusty's columns.
MikeNC 2 years, 6 months ago
Sounds like a nice place with a young owner who sticks up for family. That's refreshing to me as he did not get excited...just stated some facts and redirected idiots to go somewhere else. That alone will make me check out their place. And as far as a cool looking big mustache and restaurants are concerned....open your eyes and check out who's handling your food at other places with rings and dangles either openly dangling or the open holes there to see if establishments do not allow the open wearing of them. If you look...you will be surprised what you see in food handlers these days. Big ole grinning, happy looking man...and family run....Too good to be true right here in Moore County...Count me in Jake...Mike
runorbike 2 years, 6 months ago
So the mustache is going to be an issue huh? If people only knew what kind of home environment food handlers in some of the eating establishments came from, you'd be sickened. Trust me, I've seen it. So I wouldn't let facial hair be a deterrent to trying Jakes. And as far Jake's comment goes, it sounds like a normal, typical response of a 23 year defending his dad, despite how it may sound. Business or no business, Jake loves his Dad and it was difficult to let someone disrespect his pop without addressing it. Telling someone to eat a McDonald's isn't going to make or break his business.
ningram 2 years, 6 months ago
Wow. I guess it still shocks me that some residents that live in this community act like they have never been outside a metroplitan bubble. This is what normal, country folks look like! I have been to this restauarant about three times already and will be back on a regular basis. Ken Stocum has come out to greet us every time and I didn't even register his 'stache. Seriously, have you seen some of the employees at many fast food chains around here? I think Jake's respone was actually very respectful since someone pretty much attacked his father and restaurant based on ....a mustache.
I wouldn't bet just yet on Jake's going under. Actually, it sounds good right about now....
truckin 2 years, 6 months ago
Theyre is alot of buisnesses going under these days. Sad but true. I would not speak too soon dirtydizz. My mama always said when you point one finger you have four pointing back at yourself.
eflat7 2 years, 6 months ago
Well Jake, it fits my criteria. Stick up for your family. We'll be seeing you buddy.
clbvpm 2 years, 6 months ago
ChuckTaylor says....
"You people are just too sensitive and proud to really see what colesue’s main concern was. You are quick to defend an issue that wasn’t insulting to begin with."
All but 14 of Jakes's words were defending his dad, whom I might add, Colesue insulted. The other 14 words were Jake merely suggesting a resturant where Colesue might be welcome, as she had already voiced her desire to go elsewhere. He did not insult her. She did insult his dad.
I have not had the chance to visit this new establishment, but plan to do so soon.
listenup 2 years, 6 months ago
What cracks me up is colesue is one of the people that was posting on the thread about the cracker barrel coming and saying that all of our local places to eat were "too expensive" and that there were not enough "family places" to eat, and that cracker barrel will be the best thing in the world. Now here is a great locally owned place, with great pricing and wonderful family food, and she goes and insults it because of the guy's facial hair? Typical. I for one hope colesue stays far, far away. These are great folks, and I wish them all the best!! I ate lunch at the old place they ran several days a week and I am looking forward to hitting Jake's asap! You can keep the processed, frozen and commercialized chain food, I will take local, affordable and fresh over that junk any day! Way to go Jake!
pilotreader 2 years, 6 months ago
I went there today and was so impressed! Polish Sausage & Sour Kraut! Slap yo' mama good!! I will go back again and again! Believe you me there were tons of people waiting for tables! Excellent food, great service, fair price. To those of you hiding behind your computer hurling kindergarten insults...yes I'm talking to you colesue... take Jake's advice and go get a Happy Meal or something. It never ceases to amaze me how ugly and rude people will be from the safety of their computers. Go straight into that restaurant colesue and tell that man what you think about him. Show your face and insult him right to his... yeah I didn't think you would. Hypocrite.
Passingthru 2 years, 6 months ago
My family and I just came from Jake's, our first time. There was a parking lot full of cars, and people were steadily coming in while we were there. The food was wonderful! I bet TooHot and colesue are just jealous because Mr. Stocum's mustache looks better than theirs! Hope the restaurant is a huge success.
TheDirtyDizz 2 years, 6 months ago
lol Your telling me I won't go into his restaurant and tell him I think he needs to develop customer service skills and not tell customers to go to other restaurants because they don't like the grooming habits of the main cook? Your hilarious.
Kessmess 2 years, 6 months ago
I think that it is sad statement about this community that there are people that have made the choice to say negative and nasty things about people you have not met and a place you haven't even tried yet. I know you have the right to say what you want, but the next question should, be SHOULD I SAY IT? Were you raised any better than that?? I'm going with no. As far as the statistics of a local business succeeding or failing....Well, that falls on the shoulders of it's residents. The tourists are most likely going with names they know like Outback, Olive Garden, Applebees, etc. But why would you not support your community and shop local?? I have seen some excellent, excellent places recently close because of lack of local support (Cafe' 360, Aberdeen Cafe') and both were owned and ran by some super people who truly cared about the craft of cooking and taking care of folks in their own way. That is what you will find at Jake's. I too was visited at the table by Jake and by his father...Gracious, friendly, and making double sure you enjoyed every bite. Mr. Stocum doesn't know a stranger, and being a southern girl, that warms my heart every time. That kind of hospitality could never hurt someone's business. Chuck Taylor, as far as the menu goes, I think you need to go check that out for yourself...Perhaps Mrs. Stocum will have a slice of humble pie waiting for you for dessert.
pilotreader 2 years, 6 months ago
It's 'you're' DD. For example: Your dad owns 'successful restaurants' so "you're" an expert? See how basic language skills work? Go on in and tell 'em son. You'll have to wait in line to do so though LOL
pilotreader 2 years, 6 months ago
Amen Kessmess. I too need to calm down. Bottom line, Jake's is a great place to eat and I hope for their continued success!
nothingspecial 2 years, 6 months ago
You said it, kessmess. I think in the limited public forum of we turds bored enough to write comments after small town articles, Jakes will survive. In fact, after getting to know young Jake a little bit in the above comments I think his is now my favorite restaurant.
Kessmess 2 years, 6 months ago
Well, to borrow a few words from you Chuck, I hope you do try Jake's...But if you don't, I'm sure there will be no loss of sleep. This not necessarily directed at you, but to address what you said, I don't think it's that people want to see the underdog triumph,but that negativity and nay-saying are a sad second nature to some people. Maybe they aren't happy with themselves, their situations, or their lives, so they find their happiness in negativity. I mean, really those negative comments started and ended with a picture. In the infamous words of my Daddy "Sounds like a personal problem to me." How about re-reading this article and divert your attention to the fact that this man has worked for most of his life, and paid for his business with his own money. And what a great family this is to pull together, and to support one another. It was a great article, it's a shame you missed it. Try the high road sometime, the view is a lot nicer. Jake, thanks again for another great dinner, we'll be seeing you soon!
debsalomon 2 years, 6 months ago
I am the reporter who wrote the story about Jake's. I have been a food/restaurant writer for 25 years. Part of my job was restaurant reviews -- I've done more than 500, in several states. I have also accompanied state inspectors on routine unannounced restaurant inspections. The results are usually public record, which means you can look up the transgressions. Believe me, uncovered hair is the least of them. I won't go into detail. Use your imagination. From what I saw, Jake's was squeaky-clean; you'll notice I used the word pristine. And how do you detractors know that Mr. Stocum doesn't wear a beard net when he's in the kitchen? The photo was taken outdoors. Anyway, this healthy debate can only help Jake's. Deborah Salomon
soccermom 2 years, 6 months ago
colesue21: Seriously, are you kidding me., what a nitwit.... She doesn't just question the mustache, she makes a personal attack on the gentleman, purposefully offends the family and then tries to speak for others - " Personally, if people see that, they will head in the other direction." Then in her second reply, she makes another inane comment - "Not saying that I am right but my first impression was that he was also a heavy smoker, due to the discoloration of the mustache" - Really, why don't you keep your judgmental, hyper-critical comments to yourself. Speaking for myself, I hope 'YOU' will head in another direction - far, far away...
dukie1 2 years, 6 months ago
Recently dined a Jake's for dinner and thought it was good. I would suggest larger servings on the vegetable plate. Personally I always like a friendly atmosphere but enjoy the social time with family and don't expect nor want too much attention from the staff. You are paying for food/service. I find some family owned restaurants are too sensitive and you feel as if you are insulting them if you are honest. Not my experience at Jake's as the cook was open for comments.
melzabeth 2 years, 6 months ago
i predict that if the food is really really good and the prices are right people will eat there mustache or not. I used to get these home fries in the really small town I lived in. (we were excited the year we got one stop light). the restaurant was in a gas station and the lady smoked while she cooked. they cost like a buck fifty and were addictive. People lined up to eat her food!
truckin 2 years, 6 months ago
Before you go on the world wide web and insult a man you dont know did you ever think of that person's family who you also are hurting? Children, grand children, his spouse and extended family who love this person? If you do not have the backbone to walk up and say it to his face, keep your opinions to yourself.
truckin 2 years, 6 months ago
Judging from first impressions. Colesue you seem to me to be a very bored, negative person who doesnt have very much to do. Get a life! Chuck Taylor isn't the underdog the one thats losing. Judging by all the comments right now you seem to be the under dog. Looked pretty busy to me last night! Hope it continues! As for myself I always try to wish people all the best. Im sure Jakes would have very open to ColeSue if she wasn't so degrading, but coming from the character she seems to be portraying I dont think they really are to worried. Theyres a right way and a wrong way to express your oppinions withou being offensive or mean and she doesnt seem to know how or care to know how.
GodSaves 2 years, 5 months ago
You have to actually go in the joint in order to be considered a customer. You never have and obviously never will. So to set this straight....Jake just told you (a potential customer) that if his father's stache doesn't fit your criteria than by all means go somewhere else. Nothing wrong with that. Shute....he could of told you to beep off!!!! Relax and chill on it now. Rock on Jake. Look forward to checkin ya'll out. God bless you and yours!
GodSaves 2 years, 5 months ago
Another adj. 1. one more;an additional 2. a different - pron. 1. one additional 2. a different one 3. one of the same kind. There can only be "another" customer in that scenario if there was "A" customer that had that experience already. The first customer does not exist and probably never will. Just sayin.
sliceoflife 2 years, 5 months ago
I'm pretty sure that Aberdeen Cafe closed because the city condemned the building. I heard they will be opening up again soon in a new location. At least I hope so, I love that place! I am looking forward to trying Jake's. I heard about it from a waitress at another local place so it must be good lol.
Ross 2 years, 5 months ago
What great advertisement - and FREE
Seems the silliest topics garner the most attention!
bk1 2 years, 4 months ago
This is one of the best restaurants in the sandhills area! Delicious food!!!!!!!!!! Very nice, warm people working here as well! I will definately recommend this restaurant to everyone that I know!!