Monday, December 22, 2014YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- It’s something that would elicit a laugh or a “Yeah, right,” had you suggested it 20 years ago. But now, with downtown bouncing back, it isn’t quite as farfetched.
Every weekend, many of those visiting the restaurants, bars, clubs and entertainment centers close out their evening -- whether the night is still young or at last call -- lining up to buy cookies.
In the 21 months since One Hot Cookie opened in Erie Terminal Place, lines have become the norm on Commerce Street and around downtown Youngstown.
“On the weekends, we’ve often had lines out the door on Friday and Saturday nights,” owner Bergen Giordani says with a knowing laugh. “It’s a testament to the business we’re doing. We are a small shop, so we look busy really easily.”
Troy Polis, a student at Youngstown State University, says when he goes downtown on weekends, he almost always stops in, even if it means a lengthy wait.
“People love it and you see the same people in there every weekend,” he says. “There’s always been a line. On a Friday night, you have to wait usually 10 or 15 minutes at least.”
One Hot Cookie moved into Erie Terminal Place in April 2013 and has seen the resurgence of downtown firsthand, both in terms of those entering and leaving the shop at all times -- hours start at 11 a.m. almost every day and on weekends and run through 2:30 a.m. -- and of businesses ordering gift boxes and trays of cookies.
“Our business has grown much like the downtown has grown and blossomed through the prosperity and economic upturn that we’re experiencing,” Giordani says. “This Christmas we’re seeing a lot more support from our corporate neighbors, which speaks to that upturn and the upbeat feeling that a lot of people have.”
By Dec. 4, she reports, the store had recorded twice the number of gift orders as it had all of last December.
Most days start early as two or three workers prepare and bake the first batches of cookies for the first customers who roll in when the doors open and the bakers fill and organize the orders of gift boxes and trays to be sent out that day.
While it’s sometimes a three-person job, the limited space -- 400 square feet or so -- puts constraints on how it’s all approached.
“We’re all very close and very friendly here, so we just try to make do with what we have and use every available square inch that we have,” Giordani says.
While traditional cookies are offered, what seems to attract most customers are the specialty cookies that change every month or so, with flavors following the seasons.
“We analyze sales figures and look at what cookies are moving to [decide how the menu changes],” Giordani says. “[Fall cookies like] caramel apple crisp and pumpkin are on their way out while we move in with our chocolate mint and our spiced honey walnut for the holidays.”
Polis says his favorite cookie is one that’s one that’s always on the menu: the Monster Cookie. That’s two cookies put together with icing in between.
One Hot Cookie sits at the bottom of the hill that separates the Youngstown State University campus from the downtown. So plenty of customers from both venues flock to the shop. As the white-collar business aspect of downtown returns, students mix freely with professionals, Giordani observes.
“It’s right on one of main arteries that connect the campus and downtown, both the entertainment district and the business community. This area will only continue to grow as downtown and the YSU campus grow into one,” she says.
“There’s definitely some excitement and movement of young professionals, both residentially and within the business community. Everyone seems to be taking an interest [in downtown].”
With one of downtown’s main parking lots directly across from the storefront, One Hot Cookie is often the last stop for people on a night out.
“If they’re down here for dinner, walking back to their cars, they’re probably going to stop in before they go home,” Polis says.
While Giordani operates another One Hot Cookie store in Austintown, the shop owner is wholly invested in downtown Youngstown and its future.
“I have the same role that everyone else here has. We need to eat, shop and work downtown. Supporting local businesses is the key to a vibrant downtown,” she declares. “Downtown is poised for growth. There are opportunities on Federal, Commerce and the areas that connect YSU to downtown.”
The success of her business, she continues, is linked to the success of downtown and the changing perceptions of the area, both by those there for work and those there for play.
“Hopefully, we will continue to flourish along with downtown,” Giordani says. “When people are out here, they’re supporting local businesses. It’s a cycle and we hope to continue riding the wave of prosperity that’s going on.”
No matter the result, Giordani says she’s thankful for the chance to accomplish what she has in the environment she’s been given to work in.
“It’s been tremendous for me to be here. It’s great to do something with my daughter, be involved in my community and be part of the revitalization of downtown,” she says.
“We work in a cookie shop every day, so we’re making people happy. And that’s always a good thing.”
Pictured: Bergen Giordani, owner of One Hot Cookie.
Copyright 2014 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
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