This year's US best cookies come from right in St. Charles! For the second year in a row, Grandma's Cookies at 401 S. Main St., was named the No. 1 cookie shop as chosen by USA Today readers. Food industry experts selected the nation's best 20 cookie shops, and a public vote identified the top 10, with Grandma's Cookies taking the highest honor.
The family-owned bake shop, spanning three generations of Theresa Rubio's relatives, has been in business for nearly five decades.
"What began as free cookies and a heart full of love for children visiting Grandma Charlotte's (Thompson) dress shop grew into a beloved bakery. Her cookies became so requested, she closed the dress shop and founded the cookie business," explains granddaughter Theresa, current co-owner and head baker who re-established the cookie store on Main Street during 2010.
Charlotte surely baked a lot, given her four children, plus 24 foster children.
"We love carrying forward Grandma’s tradition of spreading joy through every cookie. Everyone who came in called her grandma," Theresa adds. "Our success is an extension of Grandma's hospitality, where all who walk through our doors become family."
Theresa's aunt, Nancy Ginnever, served as the second-generation shop owner. Theresa's husband, Angel Rubio, is currently co-owner and operations manager. Their four sons and one daughter also work at the shop or serve as eager taste testers, critics and biggest fans, all in one.
Theresa says she started helping at the cookie shop when she was 10 years old. "We now welcome visitors from around the world."
While she states the family legacy sprinkles a certain uniqueness on the bakery, she also believes a difference comes from the fact they bake small batches throughout the day to ensure every cookie is warm and perfect. "We use premium ingredients, mixed from scratch with traditional methods for every batch, giving us time-tested quality. Our cookies also are hand-scooped."
She says they also like making new memories in the family's original Main Street business location, inside the 1820 landmark building, serving as a community gathering spot.
Year-round cookie flavors span chocolate chip, coconut (Theresa's current favorite), double chocolate chip, M&M, oatmeal raisin, peanut butter, snickerdoodles and sugar sprinkles. Gluten-free and dairy-free versions of some flavors also are available.
"For the most part, I've kept the original recipes as close to what grandma did. Cookies of the month are all recipes my daughter, husband and I create. We brainstorm what cookies we're going to do when. Once we decide all that, Isabelle and I put things together in the kitchen," Theresa says.
She confirms she's working on a cinnamon roll, as well as s’mores, cookie even though they typically do apple crumble for the fall.
Special orders cover round cookie cakes, half-sheet cookie cakes and cookie platters, which Theresa says are especially good matches for gifts, wedding favors, dessert tables, corporate events, birthday celebrations, holiday gatherings and bridal or baby showers. The shop has gift boxes as well.
This team is popular online, too, as evidenced by their 14,200-plus Instagram and 8,500 Facebook followers. They shipped to anywhere requested.
Theresa declares: "We have the greatest customers in the world. We enjoy meeting new customers and giving them an experience that they'll carry on forever."
636.947.0088
GrandmasCookiesOnMain.com
"A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand." ~Theresa Rubio, owner, Grandma's Cookies