One-time Grand Theatre actor bringing growing cookie chain to nearby spot

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A new cookie shop is moving to Richmond Row as a Toronto-based bakery expands to London.

Londoners will soon be able to get their cookie fix at Craig’s Cookies, which will move into 615 Richmond St., near Hyman Street, in September.

“London is a really vibrant community. It’s a growing city and it’s perfectly aligned with the growth of the brand that I’ve created,” Craig Pike, founder of Craig’s Cookies said. “We love supporting communities, so it feels like it’s really well aligned for success in the city.”

When Pike is not creating a new cookie flavour, he’s performing on stage.

Not a baker by trade, Pike is no stranger to London. In fact, he has a sweet link to the city. As a professional actor, he got his first gig at the Grand Theatre.

Pike sold his first cookie in 2013, following his mom’s recipe, using social media to advertise his business.

“I needed to pay the phone bill,” he said. “So I baked and delivered them one cookie at a time and here we are.”

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Fast-forward to 2024 and the shop is expected to expand to 15 locations by year’s end. There are more than 80 different cookie flavours, such as peanut butter cups, M&Ms, pop tarts, and strawberry and cream.

“One of the great things is that we’re kind of a cookie for the people. We’re not specifically any demographic. We do well with younger folks from 18 to 35 to professionals,” he said.

Western University alumnus Parker Christie, one of the shop’s co-franchisees, had wanted to bring the bakery to London for quite some time.

“It’s finally happening,” Christie said. “Craig’s Cookies for London will be great for a number of reasons, such as quality over quantity.”

Parker said the shop hopes to attract students at Western University and Fanshawe College and the community downtown. “All my friends and I discovered this brand (Craig’s Cookies) in Toronto and loved it,” he said.

Craig said his mom is proud of how far he’s come in building his “cookie empire.”

But with great cookies comes great responsibility. Pike said starting a business made him realize he had a mission as an entrepreneur.

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As a queer man himself, Piker said his business must reflect who he is and make others feel welcome at the shop. Orders come in a pink box sealed with a rainbow Pride heart sticker all year round.

“I feel like business owners have an opportunity to be socially aware,” he said. “Guest staff and team members are safe to come into our space. You know, it’s a cookie. And food brings people together. So, I want folks to feel like they’re going into a family member’s kitchen.”

bbaleeiro@postmedia.com

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