by Jess Oaks

joaks@torringtontelegram.com

YODER – The quiet little town of Yoder has something special to talk about. The town of less than 250 people has had nothing more than an active volunteer fire department, post office, community building and grade school for many years. 

A few years ago, a small corner lot building on the town’s only paved street was purchased and remodeled. It opened as a little restaurant, but it didn’t last too long before the building was vacant, once again. The business was purchased again and opened in March of last year, this time as a convenience store, Yoder Good Vibes. 

In September, the store was sold and many residents in Yoder have been steadily talking about the exciting changes the new store owners, Jamie Tippets, Boyd Yeik and Craig Robbins have brought to the little store. 

Tippet explained owning some form of community gathering place had always been her dream. However, she was never really sure what type of business.

“I have always wanted to do this,” Tippets explained. “My idea was more of a coffee shop, but I wanted to do this for years.” 

Tippet explained the previous owners approached her and asked her if she wanted to purchase the town’s only gas station from many years ago. She jumped at the opportunity. The store, Jamie’s, is located on Main Street in Yoder. 

“My goal, I mean, one of the main reasons why I am doing it, and I am sure Craig’s too, my purpose behind it is to do community things,” Tippets said. “We are not a community and we want to draw the community back together. We want to bring the community back together and that’s my whole goal.”

The store has stayed the same, Tippets explained, however many new food options are now available for the community to enjoy in the dining area or take home. 

“My goal is to cook homecooked food,” Tippets added. “I don’t want you to leave here hungry and what I want coming out of here is good food. We’re getting a grill put in so you can order fresh burgers and fresh brats. Where it will go from there, I don’t know.” 

According to Johnson, things began pretty quickly once the deal was made to take over the store.

“Things really took off from the very beginning,” Tippetsexplained. “A lot of it was like, ‘Well, here we go.’ Just jump in.”

The business now serves a variety of sub-style sandwiches, Tippetsexplained, as well as a few different meal options currently.

“The sub sandwiches are huge. It gives people a variety and different things that they can do. I make the breakfast burritos from scratch. The muffins and all those things fresh,” Tippetsexplained. 

“I think all of the food has changed,” Tippetsexplained. “We still do like the chuckwagon stuff or breakfast sandwiches. We changed the pizza completely. You can order pizza to go now. You can order a whole pizza and sit in here. We have gotten really good feedback.”

Tippet explained the shop now carries pizza, breakfast burritos, muffins, cinnamon rolls and more.

“We started doing meals. Right now, you can get a pasta salad with a small fountain drink as a meal. You can even do that with our burgers or brats in the warmer,” Tippets said. “We have added fresh sun tea and lemonade.”

Tippetswants to continue finding ways to include the community which also includes Southeast students and their families during lunch hour and various school activities. 

“My goal is for people to come in. I can now stream the games. If they have away games, the community can come in and we will turn on the game,” Tippet explained. “I know that stuff is expensive and why not come sit down here with your buddies and watch whatever, whoever play and support this community? That’s what I really want them to do.”

Southeast High School students can participate in off-campus lunch; however, with no local businesses around, Tippets makes sure to have things ready for students in a rush. 

“That was the other thing, to give the kids a place to go. I want them to come and hang out when they have the time. Just to give them an escape from school and keep them safer,” Tippetsexpressed. 

Tippets also announced the store plans to also apply for a liquor license. 

“It will be a full retail so it will be package,” Tippet explained. “I can serve beer so you can come in and get a burger and beer. I don’t want it to be a bar just more of a social thing.”

Tippets has many ideas for the little store including adding a jukebox to the patio area.

“We would really like to get like a jukebox outside. My goal for the summer is to do Fridays on the patio and have like a local musician come play some music,” Tippetsexplained. “We did get some cornhole boards so people can come in a play during the summer. So, there are just some different things that we want to do.” 

Jamie’s is currently open Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. and information about their menu items can be found on their Facebook page, Jamie’s or call 307-338-3608.