PEKIN – JoElle Master cherishes the opportunity to be “part of people’s special moments” as the chef and owner of Yesterday’s Bar & Grill.
She and husband Ryan have witnessed engagements, anniversaries, birthdays and celebrations of life at the eatery.
Earlier this year, the husband and wife shared a milestone in their own life. The couple welcomed their newborn daughter, Charlie, on Feb. 13 – the same day customers gathered for a special multi-course meal.
“Everybody was very excited mid-dinner to find out that she had arrived,” JoElle said. “So, our bartender poured some pink champagne for people, and everybody got a toast for it.”
Balancing a small business and a growing family has been a learning experience for the Masters, but JoElle and Ryan are cherishing each moment.
Welcoming a third generation to the family business
For JoElle, raising the next generation in the family business is “pretty amazing.” Already, Charlie has made some appearances at Yesterday’s Bar & Grill – with visitors excited to see her.
“Being able to be a woman-owned business and being able to run it and being that kind of role model is pretty amazing,” JoElle said. “Also, a little terrifying.”
Her parents, Jim and Joy Schramm, took ownership of the eatery in 2006. Prior to that, the establishment was operated by Jetta Christensen – who began the business more than three decades back.
While her parents operated Yesterday’s, JoElle spent time in Chicago – attending culinary school before working at a variety of restaurants. After more than a dozen years away, JoElle returned to the area during the pandemic and gradually took ownership of the eatery.
“My dad was ready to retire, and I was ready to work for myself,” she said, “so it kind of worked out.”
Following her return, JoElle reconnected with high school friend, Ryan Master. The pair eventually began dating before getting married in 2024.
Ryan boasts a culinary background, as well, and helps out at the family business – doing “a little bit of everything,” JoElle said.
Over time, JoElle made “small changes here and there” until the eatery became her own.
‘Finding a balance’
As the owner and chef of a small, locally owned restaurant, JoElle is not “used to downtime.” She worked to prepare things at the eatery just before heading to the hospital to be induced.
Once Charlie arrived, however, Yesterday’s Bar & Grill went on hiatus so the Masters could focus on the new addition to the family.
“Being forced to take some time and relax definitely makes you appreciate it all a little bit more,” JoElle said. “All of it – her and being able to run our business the way that works best for us.”
The eatery reopened in early April and saw a strong turnout as the community welcomed them back.
“We’ve heard a lot of, ‘Oh, we’re glad you’re open again.’ So that’s been nice,” JoElle said. “But it’s been finding a balance.”
It is a delicate balancing act, no doubt – finding time for family while also running a small business.
Fortunately, family and friends are “always willing to step up and help,” Ryan said. Neighboring business owners have also sent care packages and food for the new parents.
Even with the support, JoElle has found it is important to remain flexible as she and Ryan navigate this new chapter.
“You can, you know, have all the plans that you think you want, and life will just have a way of throwing what it wants at you,” she said.
‘Pretty wonderful’
While the past few months have been an adjustment, JoElle said it’s been “pretty wonderful” to watch her family grow. For Ryan, the recent weeks feel as though they have flown by.
“It’s crazy to watch them grow,” he said.
Little Charlie has started to smile, her mother said, and is developing her own personality.
“She’s got big feelings and opinions on things already,” JoElle said as Charlie slept soundly while swaddled snuggly against her.
As Charlie grows, her parents look forward to various firsts – from her first bites of food to her first Halloween along Court Street. Ultimately, Ryan can’t wait “to watch the joys that she grows up with.”
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This article originally appeared on Journal Star: ‘Pretty amazing’: Pekin parents welcome next generation at family business
Reporting by Cassidy Waigand, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
