Vendor Spotlight: The Cool Cookie Kitchen

What originally started out as a YouTube channel called The Cool Cookie Show, featuring tutorials on baking and decorating cookies, turned into a physical business in around two and a half years under the hard work and dedication of owner Gabby Versnick. When Gabby transitioned into actually working in the kitchen, she didn't want to lose the social following she had built up over time. So with the help of a friend to pivot the naming of the business, The Cool Cookie Kitchen officially opened, and has been making delicious and beautiful cookies ever since. 

Much like long form content creation, there is a lot of work that small business owners have to do behind the scenes which often goes unknown (and is much more challenging than people think). Things like pivoting to different suppliers, to marketing yourself, let alone making the product, sourcing ingredients, taking orders, going to networking events and more - it's not for the faint of heart. But Gabby has a deep passion for it, and that is evident with each interaction and cookie she makes. 

"I've been baking since the age of six," Gabby said with a smile. "The whole thing really started with making cookies with my mom on Christmas Eve for Santa. Now the cookie recipe has altered itself over the years through testing and trial, but the icing recipe is still the same one I used with my mom." Gabby even sometimes still calls her mom for a second opinion or advice, because not only is she a fantastic baker, she also has an artistic eye as an interior designer. "She's got a really good eye for colour and design and stuff," Gabby said. "So if I'm feeling unsure or overwhelmed, I let her make decisions, and then I buy her Starbucks!" Gabby laughed. 

Gabby's cookie recipes are proprietary, all developed by her over time. Previously she worked at a call centre, where she would love to bring in samples to her hundreds of coworkers to get constructive feedback (pretty genius if you ask me). The Cool Cookie Kitchen has been a work-in-progress project for many years, and has had a slow development of a big period of time. It was hard to Gabby to estimate how long it had been since she started selling cookies in one way or another, but she estimates she's been a "cookie dealer" for around 17 years, just not consistently. 

When COVID-19 hit, Gabby felt her eyes were opened to what was important in life. "I was really done with the corporate world," she explained. "After [COVID] everything kind of reemerged, and I was like, well, where's my career gonna go? YouTube wasn't really what it was when I started, the platform had really changed and there's some uncertainty when I wanted something more stable." So, after some thinking, Gabby approached her husband and said she really wanted to make a go at the cookie business (officially). "I don't want to be on my deathbed and be like, man, what could have happened if I just tried?"

So Gabby did just that - she took a leap of faith and went full-time. She started baking out of Aylmer, renting the kitchen from the Knights of Columbus, but sharing the space frequently was difficult (not to mention lugging all her supplies back and forth). "Then I did a market in Dutton and the owner of 174 Currie Road offered for me to sell my cookies out of her store," Gabby explained. "At first I was like, it's a long drive, but she said 'I promise I will make it worth your while', and she stuck to her word!" All Gabby's products that were sold in store were embraced by the community. Then, 174 Currie Road began to expand their space, and they had a kitchen space become available. "She just made it happen for me," Gabby said appreciatively. "I mean, people drive to London for these spaces. A drive of 45 minutes, that's closer than it is to drive to my parents in London, and I see them weekly! I can walk into the kitchen, turn the lights on, and everything is clean and in it's spot so I can just go. I love it." 

Gabby is extremely thankful for all the opportunities she has had throughout her journey. The Knights of Columbus even gifted her an old commercial mixed they didn't need, which she has lovingly named Big Bertha. Most of her equipment has names, which she uses to cheer herself up and encourage them to keep on going. 

In addition to custom orders (which can range from birthday parties, weddings, baby showers, and corporate events), Gabby also runs cookie decorating classes (public and private) - and we are excited to say The Kitchen at Horton will be hosting some Cool Cookie Kitchen decorating classes this fall and winter! Gabby can make custom designs and stencils, and the beauty of her cookies certainly speaks for themselves. But she doesn't just make beautiful sugar cookies, Gabby also offers many different cookie varieties and sizes, including cookie platters, drop cookies (which come in many seasonal offerings like spicy pumpkin, London fog, gingersnap, and red velvet), chocolate chip cookie cakes, paint your own cookies, and more! "I'm always up for a good collaboration," Gabby said with a smile. "You have a company that makes a product I can shove in a cookie - call me!" She said with a laugh. 

The Cool Cookie Kitchen's products can be ordered on her website, bought at Horton on Saturday mornings, and grab-and -go options can be found at Clovermead, La Briza, Buzz Bites, and The Collective. Ordering custom cookies? You can pick them up in Dutton at 174 Currie Road or in St. Thomas at Buzz Bites or Horton - just make sure to arrange it with Gabby. 

When you are visiting Horton next on a Saturday, check inside our market building to see what beautiful and delicious creations Gabby has to offer. Her designs and flavours change throughout the season, and we are always excited to see what she has crafted each week with love, care, and a whole lot of happiness! 

Paige Palmer, Marketing Assistant

Paige is a proud recent graduate of Western University's Media and Communications (MACS) program and King's University College's Thanatology program. Born and raised in Elgin County, Paige loves connecting with local people and businesses to tell their stories and promote their hard work. A previous St. Thomas Parks and Forestry summer student, Paige also loves exploring local parks and trails, and promoting the incredible work of the Parks and Forestry department, while capturing some beautiful pictures along the way. ​