A combination of her love for her mother and for baking and cooking have been the key ingredients for a restaurant endeavor for Lori McIntyre, owner of Retta Jeans Cafe, formerly Cooks Corner. 

The restaurant, which had its grand opening earlier this month, is located at 3998 N. Bowling Green Rd., Poland, and is off to a great start, according to McIntyre. 

"The grand opening went really well. We had a great turnout. I wasn't really sure what to expect, and we had a lot of people," McIntyre told The Putnam County Post. 

With the grand opening behind her, McIntyre is looking forward to the next couple months of business, as customers will be able to dine on tenderloins, burgers, salads, wraps, chicken tenders and chicken dishes, and much more. In addition, there will be daily specials. One staple from the grand opening weekend that will continue is the BBQ from Rob's Rumps each weekend. 

"I am excited to see how the next few months go," McIntyre said. 

And, along the way, she will continue honoring her mother's legacy, as the restaurant is named for her. 

"I always wanted to own a restaurant and I talked about it a lot with my mom. We lost her a few years ago. I looked at buying it once before and the time just wasted right, but am glad that we were able to open it and buy it. And, it is named after my mom. Her name was Retta Jean, and she is the reason I know how to cook. She cooked and baked a lot and did wedding cakes. She was a good cook and baker and played a big part in me learning how to cook," McIntyre admitted. 

McIntyre said the restaurant is a true labor of love in many ways. 

"It allows me to honor my mom and I love taking care of people. Cooking takes care of that, and I love baking. The community has been amazing and supportive and I am thankful for them. It is a lot of hard work running a restaurant, but it is rewarding," McIntyre said.