The humble chocolate chip cookie has been elevated deliciously by Craig's Cookies founder and owner Craig Pike.
Everyone in Collingwood can sample his mother's chocolate chip cookie recipe and his 100 creative takes on it now that Craig's Cookies opened in Collingwood March 8 at 66 Hurontario Street.
"We'll put anything in cookies. We put in candy bars and candies like Mars bars, peanut butter cups, Swedish Berries, Fuzzy Peaches, Doritos, Cheetos," he said.
The number-one seller is the classic chocolate chip, so he's still making his mother proud.
"She's incredibly happy that the recipe is being shared with as many people as possible," said Pike. She's also "astounded" at how Pike has built the business.
The Collingwood store represents the second franchise and the eighth Craig's Cookies store. Pike owns five in Toronto and one in his home town of St. John's, NFLD. The first franchise opened in Niagara on the Lake last July.
The Collingwood store is owned by Heather Favalaro and Sarah Hart. It is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will have a staff of 10, including the owners. A grand opening celebration will be held March 23.
"Both Sarah and I lived in Toronto and were huge fans of Craig's Cookies," said Favalaro. "When we decided to move back here, we started daydreaming about how well Craig's Cookies would be received. . . and here we are filling those pink boxes with cookies and sealing them with a pride sticker. Dreams do come true," she said in a statement.
Cookies sell for $3.25 for a single, $17.50 for six or $34 for a dozen. There are vegan and gluten-free recipes.
"We have a team that bakes all day long. Part of the charm is that you are always getting a freshly baked cookie. We don't sell any day-old cookies," Pike said.
The shop also sells frozen cookie dough with baking instructions.
Cookies and dough can also be purchased through the website: craigscookie.com and through food delivery businesses.
"I first visited Collingwood 10 years ago. I'm an actor and musician and I was touring with a production from Theatre Orangeville (at the Gayety Theatre), so it's nice to open a shop here," said Pike.
Pike is a member of the queer community and strives to make his stores welcoming and inclusive spaces. The logo is a rainbow with BIPOC colours.
“One of the best things about owning my own business is having the shops reflect what I believe in. We support the 2SLGBTQIA+ community quite a bit,” he said.
