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4 Things You Didn’t Know About The Cookie Cups Creator Nicole Pomije

The Cookie Cups creator Nicole Pomije (center)

Credit: Studio Laguna Photography

If you haven't heard, The Cookie Cups Wayzata location is quickly approaching its first anniversary. We couldn't be more excited to celebrate this milestone and our future growth with the local community, but it's also a great time to look back at our humble beginnings.

The origin story of The Cookie Cups is well known among our loyal customers: Our creator, Nicole Pomije, swapped a mini cupcake pan for a baking sheet while making cookies at home – a fortunate "accident" that resulted in the sweet treat you know and love. What you may not know is that Nicole's passion for food – and her business savvy – goes much further back than launching this unique local bakery.

Here are a few fun facts about Nicole, an experienced entrepreneur, marketing professional, and home cook, and how she grew The Cookie Cups from a farmers' market and catering business to a (soon-to-be) multi-location bakery concept.

The Cookie Cups - closeup

Credit: Hannah Andersen Photo

Before she created The Cookie Cups, Nicole launched two other successful businesses.

The Cookie Cups is Nicole's latest business venture, but it certainly isn't her first. In 2012, she founded NB Talent Services, an agency that handles public relations, social media marketing, and event management for a wide range of clients. A year later, Nicole co-founded a fine jewelry and accessory e-commerce business called Bijouxx Jewels with her husband David (who also co-owns The Cookie Cups with her).

Nicole is still at the helm of all three businesses, and says that her PR and marketing skill set has helped her tremendously as she gained exposure and publicity for The Cookie Cups.

The Cookie Cups storefront was born to convert catering clients into regular customers.

The Cookie Cups catering brochure

Credit: Hannah Andersen Photo

Nicole was finding a lot of success selling at local farmers' markets and events like the Renaissance Festival and Holidazzle, and catering private parties. However, she knew she wanted to start building a more consistent customer base.

After spotting the perfect location on Shoreline Drive, Nicole decided put down some local roots and build a brick-and-mortar location where her Twin Cities client base could come back for more cookie cups. Nicole and David spent eight months renovating the storefront, an old American Family Insurance office that needed some TLC to transform into the bright pink and purple-magenta bakery.

Nicole's passion for cooking inspired The Cookie Cups' menu expansion.

The Cookie Cups savory cups

Credit: Hannah Andersen Photo

Although The Cookie Cups began as a dessert business, Nicole has expanded the menu to include savory bites like mac and cheese, meat and potatoes, frittatas, cornbread, tacos, and pizza – all in the bakery's signature mini cup shape. We've also recently added pancake “cups” to our menu for the breakfast lovers.

Nicole attributes the development of these menu items to her long-time love of food and cooking, and sees The Cookie Cups' ever-evolving offerings as a "creative outlet" for that passion.

Nicole hopes to make 'Store #2' a place for community connection.

If you follow The Cookie Cups on social media, you know that we've just begun renovations on our second storefront in Chanhassen, tentatively set to open in June. Nicole hopes to turn this 1,000-square-foot Market Street bakery into a breakfast and lunch destination for locals, but she also wants to help foster a connection between her customers and businesses in the community.

As Nicole recently told The Laker, "I know that people … feel connected to us. We're a Minnesota brand, and I want to continue that in Chanhassen. I think that people … will really appreciate having something new and different over there."

Live in the Wayzata area? Come join us for our 1st Anniversary Party at the store on Saturday, April 6, beginning at 9 a.m.!


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