Saturday, May 18, 2013

News
Made in Alaska: The Cookie Jar
By Heather Hintze
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FAIRBANKS - There’s nothing quite like a freshly baked cookie hot out of the oven. Gloria Burcell knows how much people enjoy the sweet treats, and has built her business around that.

“I’ve always liked to bake cookies and tried to perfect the recipes just for myself,” said Burcell.

Perfection paid off and she found a recipe for success. The Cookie Jar opened in Fairbanks in 1986. Two years later it expanded from cookies and coffee to a full restaurant.

“You see little kids who were six and eight when they started coming here, when I first started working here, now they bring their children in,” said Fawn Barbieri, the customer service supervisor.

Behind the scenes in the kitchen, sweet bakers whip up hundreds of cookies a day.

“I love my job. I absolutely love it,” said sweet baker Jared Daken.

There are eight different kinds but it seems most people like to stick with what they know.

“Our top sellers are old fashioned milk chocolate, old fashioned white chocolate and old fashioned semi sweet,” said Burcell.

Burcell says the Fairbanks community is supportive of the business but working in the interior of Alaska isn’t always easy.

“It can be hard at times. We have temperature fluctuations that can affect business like they don't have other places but I love the hometown feel of this town,” said Burcell.

As long as Fairbanks customers keep coming to the Cookie Jar, they’re sure to get their just desserts.

To view all of our Made in Alaska stories, click here.