Jem 100 Strengthens Roots Under New Ownership

NEWBERG, Ore. — Jem 100 burger and ice cream diner changed ownership in April 2024, passing the torch from Tom and Linda Vondrachek to their daughter, Lindsay Harrison, and her husband Eric, continuing its legacy of affordable meals and family-friendly service.

“There were a few points where we were looking for an exit strategy,” said Tom Vondrachek. “But each time, something wasn’t quite right. It would have been difficult to turn it over to someone else. Knowing one of the kids would take it over was what finally allowed us to retire.”

The Harrisons, both raised around Newberg-Dundee, said they aim to keep Vondrachek’s established Jem 100’s traditions alive. 

“We really want to continue being a staple in the community and help give back,” Eric said. “We love that you can still come out on a Friday night, eat affordably with your kids, and feel connected to the people around you.”

According to the Jem 100 website, Dennis Day purchased three commercial lots on Main Street in 1979, starting four separate businesses: D&L Nursery, Dip-n-Donuts, Kozy Korner, and Jewell 100 Ice Cream Saloon. 

Day received permission from the Jewell Allstar Ice Cream Company in Portland, Ore. to use their name on the building. That ice cream company was purchased and the new owners requested their name not be used on the building. Day flipped the “W” on his exterior sign upside down and removed the “ell”, which became Jem.

Day sold the business to his son, Greg, who then sold the business to the Vondrachek’s in May 1989. For Lindsay, Jem 100’s legacy is personal—she grew up immersed in its culture. Despite now having a full-time job as a physical therapist, she and Eric saw a need to keep Jem 100 running and in the family to ensure the values lived on.

“If we didn’t take over, Jem maybe wouldn’t be here anymore,” she said. “That’s all I’ve known, and that’s all my brothers have known. Thinking about the community not having Jem 100 was hard.”

The Harrisons emphasized that major changes are not part of their plan. 

“Tom set up a great foundation,” Eric said. “We just want to keep everything moving forward while staying true to what has made this place special.”

The couple’s dedication to the community extends beyond serving meals. Recently, when the Newberg High School football team needed dinner on short notice, Jem 100 stepped up, preparing smash burgers for the players.

Affordability remains a priority for the new owners, even as food prices climb. They say they’ve had to work with different suppliers, find different techniques, and work extra hours. But, affordability has always been a trademark of Jem 100, and they hope to keep that tradition alive. 

“We work really hard to keep costs low,” Eric said. “It’s easy to push a button and order everything to the back door, but we go out of our way to chase prices and maintain quality. Our customers would notice if we didn’t.”

And Jem 100’s extensive menu, featuring items ranging from burgers and fries to more unique menu items like chili dogs, bratwurst, and pastrami sandwiches, is here to stay. 

“Every item is made with care, not just as a way to repurpose ingredients,” Eric said. “There is a way to do that, but Tom was really passionate about providing items for everyone and that means 

For those wondering if there’s anything new on the horizon, the Harrisons are keeping it simple:

“We’re focused on carrying the torch,” Eric said.

That’s not to say there will not be innovation. The Harrison said they spent months working on a smash burger recipe—testing different sauces, perfecting patty sizing, etcetera—and debuted it on the menu a few months ago as a special. That burger quickly became a smash hit. 

The Harrisons are also planning to invest more into catering opportunities, working events around town and broadly around the Yamhill Valley. They’ve been a consistent fixture at the Newberg Old Fashioned Festival since 1989, and look forward to setting up a mobile restaurant in more places as they’re needed.

“Linda and I are so grateful,” Vondrachek said. “The transition was relatively smooth. Once we saw Eric working on his idea, we fell in love with it and were able to hand it over completely with confidence.”

In retirement, Vondrachek said he’s been helping babysit his five grandsons, along with catching up on yardwork and house projects. He’s also picked up running, which inspired Jem 100’s upcoming Gobble n’ Scoop 5k and Fun Run on Thanksgiving Day, supporting Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue’s Toy and Joy program.

Learn more about Jem 100 by visiting its website or social media pages [Facebook, Instagram].