Famous (and Delicious) Bay Village Heart-Shaped Cookies are Back!
Published Tuesday, February 15, 2022
by Graham Strong
In what is sure to become an annual favourite, Bay Village Coffee is bringing back their heart-shaped cookies throughout the month of February in support of local cardiovascular care.
These sugar cookies were a huge hit last year. And why not – with two cookie layers, white and pink butter cream frosting, and finished with sprinkles, you can’t go wrong. Alan Forbes and Gary Mack, co-owners of Bay Village, said the cookies were so popular last year that they decided make it a tradition.
“We sold over 7,200 cookies last year and raised over $18,000,” Alan said. This year, their goal is $25,000. Now, not quite halfway through the month, they are well on track to that goal. People were clamouring for them right from February 1. “We were baking and decorating all (the last weekend in January) to get ready.”
The idea for the event came from a personal and tragic incident. Patty Hobbs, the mother of staff member Shannon Hobbs, passed away suddenly of a heart attack in November 2020. The whole Bay Village community rallied around Shannon and her family during their difficult time.
“Patty Hobbs was a great friend of our coffee shop and of us – it was just heart-wrenching for all of us,” Gary said. “We wanted to do something to make a difference and support the family. We thought this would be a great way to honour Patty.”
All cookies are made in-house. “Our baking is with all-natural ingredients, so we don’t really use anything artificial at all. We bake them just like your grandmother does. Maybe a bit better,” Gary said with a laugh.
Last year, Alan and Gary sent out orders from as far away as BC and the Yukon. Who knows how far their cookies will reach this year? For those of us lucky enough to live so close to Bay Village Coffee, it’s just a walk or a car ride away.
February is Heart Month! Visit Bay Village Coffee throughout February to buy a cookie (or two...) and support local cardiovascular care. You can also order the cookies and pick them up at the store at www.bayvillagecoffee.com