As many in the community know, Mrs. T’s Pierogies is a story that started in the Twardzik family kitchen, right here on Main St. in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania. The founder of Mrs. T’s, Ted Twardzik, always remembered the lines of people wrapped around local churches to buy pierogies, and thought it was the perfect food to share with the ones you love. Ted’s mom, Mary Twardzik, better known as Mrs. T, always enjoyed cooking for her family—and everyone loved her handmade pierogies.

After graduating college with a degree in business, and working at a top New York accounting firm, Ted decided to move back home to Shenandoah. He thought to himself; why not sell his mom’s delicious pierogies in stores for more people to enjoy? And, the perfect name for the company was Mrs. T’s Pierogies, in honor of his mother and her original recipe.

So, in 1952, Mrs. T’s Pierogies was officially born!

"When people ask who Mrs. T is, I always say, Mrs. T is my dad," said Tom Twardzik, President and Owner, Mrs. T's Pierogies. "My dad is the founder of Ateeco Inc. and Mrs. T's Pierogies. The Mrs. T behind Mrs. T's Pierogies and the recipe is my grandmother Mary.

Pictured above is owner, Tom Twardzik working on the pierogie line

It started with Ted and five local women, the original chefs, Evelyn Mervine, Marion Pronio, Dorothy Pronio, Aldona Pribish, and Eleanor (Twardzik) Zale sitting around Mary’s kitchen table making pierogies. It wasn’t long before he had worn out his welcome in that kitchen and moved production to Frank Twardzik's bar, the company’s current location.

Pictured above is Mrs. T. and ladies making pierogies at the Shenandoah kitchen table

Mrs. T’s Pierogies became a staple, not only in local stores, but also surrounding communities. And, as the love for Mrs. T’s Pierogies grew, so did the demand. As the company flourished, it was really important to Ted and his family that the Mrs. T’s Pierogies experience remained as consistently enjoyable and delicious as it was in his mom’s kitchen.

Seventy years later, that same spirit lives on in Ted’s son, Tom, who now owns and operates the family business. Mrs. T’s is now the largest provider of pierogies in the country, producing over 600 million pierogies a year.

Over those 70 years, Mrs. T’s has been blessed to be able to remain in Shenandoah. The company takes pride in the culture and community they’ve built over the last 7 decades, with 240 people currently employed with an average tenure of 17 years! In addition to taking every opportunity to celebrate their team, Mrs. T’s supports the community that has supported them all these years, and continues to have a positive impact on Shenandoah.

Pictured above is Mrs' T's participating in the DSI annual Heritage Day parade

“We strive to emulate the company’s love for Shenandoah and Schuylkill County that has been instilled by the Twardzik family. From major donations like the Shenandoah Historical Society Building and consistent support to the Shenandoah Valley School District to participating in local festivals and hosting company-sponsored events like Skydiving Santa, Mrs. T’s Pierogies takes pride in being part of the Shenandoah community,” said Alyssa Panzarella, PR and Marketing Communications Manager.

Mrs. T’s Pierogies is grateful to all those who have supported the company over the last 70 years and is looking forward to the next 70 years of sharing pierogies and smiles. 

Note: Thank you to Alyssa Panzarella, PR and Marketing Communications Manager for sharing this story.