NANTICOKE — The delicious smell of potatoes and butter filled the air on Market Street in Nanticoke on Saturday.
And that smell could only mean one thing.
The staff at NEPA’rogi was busy getting ready for the official grand opening of its new location, preparing hundreds of pierogis for the event at noon on Saturday.
As preparations were in full swing, NEPA’rogi owners Frank Marcinkowski and Lauren Gorney were chatting with supporters who had gathered for the Polka in the Park celebration at Nanticoke’s Patriot Square, hosted by the establishment.
“We’ve been operating in the new spot for some time now,” Marcinkowski said. “We’ve been finishing up a few things and getting all the cosmetic work done, and now we want to celebrate. We want to bring the community together.”
The duo wanted to organize an event that not only united the community, but also involved other locally-owned businesses.
“We’re privileged to be a part of it. It’s not just about the pierogi — because we wanted to involve all the other businesses in the celebration as well,” he added.
How it all started
NEPA’rogi began in 2021 during the pandemic. What started as an in-house operation expanded to a mobile food trailer before acquiring a space at Tarnowski’s Kielbasa on Main street in Nanticoke.
“They gave us every inch of that place they possibly could,” he explained, mentioning that selling pierogis from a kielbasa business really helped boost interest and sales. “That really got us on our feet and allowed us to start looking for a larger space.”
NEPA’Rogi moved to its new location on Market Street in January. The shop offers all the classic pierogis — such as potato and cheddar and cabbage — and some new variations on the Polish favorite, like buffalo chicken wing. They even offer dessert-style pierogis.
A musical celebration
Outside, a crowd began gathering in the park, dancing to polka music from the Polka Bandski, visiting other local businesses, and drawing with sidewalk chalk. Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski also made an appearance for the ceremony.
Taking a break from dancing, Michealene Helmecki-Geiser and Richard Geiser paused to discuss the event.
A Nanticoke native, Michaelene traveled from New York to wish her cousin well on her new venture.
“It’s a fantastic day to celebrate her success, honor the food in Northeast Pennsylvania,” she said.
Marcinkowski and Gorney hope to continue hosting such events in the city, and commend the administration and community for being so supportive and encouraging.
“The benefit of a small town is that if you come up with an idea, and there are people who want to see the community improve, they support that, because you have a shared interest in enhancing the community,” Gorney said.