When Jackie and Hope Cook saw two vacancies at Old Tollgate Village, they initially thought it was too good to be true.
An experienced hair stylist and home-trained pizzaiolo, the Cooks were hungry for an opportunity to open independent businesses. And while they never anticipated opening shops right next door to each other, they couldn’t be happier.
Pizza, passion and family
It started out with Hope’s longtime of goal of opening a food business—a dream she’s pursued after years of doing everything from construction, handyman jobs and repair work, to teaching.
She got her start in the kitchen cooking alongside her grandmother, “Mammy,” and at church. She started working in kitchens when she was 14 years old, and in 2011, she opened Just Delicious, a food stand at The Broad Street Market in Harrisburg, but eventually closed shop so she could move to York to be with Jackie and her children.
“She has been obsessed with the science of cooking, spices and balancing the flavor matrix ever since she hit the kitchen,” Jackie said.
A passionate home cook, Hope spent years pleasing the palates of her picky sons with favorites like pizza and stromboli. “Trying to feed four teenage boys—pizza’s not cheap—so I had to learn how to make these things because it’s all the kids ate,” said Hope, whose bubbly and creative son Luke now works alongside her at the shop.
And at home, she’s affectionately called “Mapa”—the inspiration behind the name of her business, Mapa’s Boli, which opened in November next to In Bloom Hair Studio, owned by her wife, Jackie.
At Hope’s shop, located at 2535 South Queen Street, the walls are decked out with artwork she made herself and old treasures including her grandmother’s 1970s radio. Her pizzas feature premium Bacio cheese and a signature Asiago-rimmed crust. Specialty flavors include the Philly Hoagie, Mushroom Pizza, and Devil’s Pie topped with ham and charred pineapple. The menu also offers classic Italian stromboli, a bacon cheeseburger stromboli, cauliflower crust pizzas, double-baked wings and more.
Instead of beer or wine, guests can enjoy Tractor Organic Lemonade or Lancaster-brewed sparkling hemp-derived beverages, available in cans for those 21 and older. And the space hosts weekly family-friendly events including ‘Teen Tuesdays’ with $2 slices, games and ‘Trivia Fridays.’
A salon rooted in care and inclusivity
For the last 13 years, Jackie has worked as an independent stylist, renting chairs at larger salons and working independently with her own range of clients. After doing that for over a decade, she was looking for calm and balance and decided to open her own space.
“I was ready for something more intimate – my craving for a more quiet, peaceful work environment was something I noticed,” Jackie said. “What better way than to create your own space.”
At In Bloom Studio, Jackie and her small team of hair and nail experts cater to all ages and genders, from children to elderly clients.
And while they see each other at home, and often at work, Jackie and Hope work very much like a team. Using her carpentry skills, Hope helped re-create the former Edward Jones into what is now the salon.
“It’s not uncommon for my clients to be sitting in my chair and ordering food to pick up when they’re done getting their hair done – and it’s cool,” Jackie said.
As LGBTQ+ business owners, the Cooks say their space is open and welcoming to everyone, whether you’re part of the community or not.
And while their businesses were built by people from different ages, backgrounds and perspectives, Hope said they all shared the same vision. “We want everyone here, we want everyone happy, we want to make sure that their bellies are full, they look good and they go live their life.”
