‘Time to pass the torch.’ The Cookie Cottage is for sale but will remain open.
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RIGBY — The Cookie Cottage has been a staple in Rigby for nearly nine years, but now the owners want to sell the business to the right person. The shop remains open and is still selling cookies.
Jennifer or “Jen” Nielsen and Ken LeFevre own The Cookie Cottage. The Rigby location is at 143 South Clark Street. It’s a small-batch bakery where Nielsen can focus on quality and consistency. She specializes in gourmet sugar cookies. She’s the baker, while LeFevre is the seller.
Nielsen told EastIdahoNews.com that they are selling The Cookie Cottage for family and health reasons.
“We’ve decided that it’s time. Ken’s parents are getting older, and my parents are getting older. My kids are all out of state. It’s time to just move down (to Utah) and focus on some family. It’s kind of lonely being up here without family,” Nielsen said.
Nielsen and LeFevre also own a building in Rexburg, at 1130 University Boulevard, which houses a cookie and soda store. It’s the second location of The Cookie Cottage. They lease the building in Rigby.
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LeFevre wrote on Facebook, “It’s time to pass the torch. The sale comes with all equipment and ingredients, recipes, training, and mentoring. You will not be starting from scratch.”
“Those are priceless,” Nielsen said. “I want somebody that has a background in baking. Just like an at-home baker that’s got great grand ideas that kind of understands the science behind baking but also appreciates the community.”
She hopes whoever takes over won’t change it, since The Cookie Cottage has been successful the way it is.
“I want it to stay the same. If they bought it, it would be their prerogative to change stuff that they want to, but it’s been very successful just the way things are,” she said. “Don’t change the cookie, don’t change the branding, don’t change the feel. I want someone who wants to continue that.”
The Cookie Cottage in Rigby is known for its pink decor; it looks like it came straight out of a Hallmark movie, and it smells like freshly baked cookies inside. The one in Rexburg is painted pink, to match the theme.
Good memories
Some of Nielsen’s favorite memories include participating in the Rigby City Library Summer Reading Program.
“Seriously, we’ve had 350-plus coupons that the kids have brought in, and they get a free cookie. That’s huge because I’m very much an advocate for literacy. But just also being able to share in those sweet experiences,” she said.
Her favorite times in The Cookie Cottage are early mornings, when she can be creative. Some of the best sellers include the banana cream pie, raspberry cheesecake, and the classic sugar cookie. They also sell chocolate chip cookies, snickerdoodles, and a popular ginger snap.
They offer gluten-free cookies and have a loyal following.
“I’ll be standing in the front folding boxes and really just have an overwhelming sense of satisfaction,” she said. “I love creating beautiful cookies, pastries, and desserts, but they also taste amazing,” she said. “There’s just so much nostalgia there. It’s been such a big part of my life, and I am so proud of it. It will be a little hard.”
Leaving will be bittersweet when the time comes.
A thank you
LeFevre said he is grateful. He has enjoyed meeting people. He wrote on Facebook that “Jen built the business from the ground up and perfected her recipes and baking techniques. She has established a great retail clientele and also has many wholesale customers.”
They’ve had various catering events every week.
“Ken has just had so much fun meeting people and running the Rigby and Rexburg stores and getting to meet with people and interact with people. It has been a fantastic opportunity for us,” Nielsen said.
They’ve had clients come to the cottage on their way to Island Park or West Yellowstone, and then they will stop by again after they are done with their trips.
The cookies have outstanding Google Reviews with 4.9 stars. Some say, “The owner is so talented, sweet, and amazing, just like her cookies!!” and “THEIR COOKIES ARE TO DIE FOR,” along with “SO worth visiting!”
“As I wipe away the tears from my eyes, I want to say a big thank you. When people come into the shop, they are not coming in because their water heaters broke. We’re celebrating stuff, not just weddings and baby showers, and that kind of thing but general everyday happy, you know?” Nielsen said.
It is not closed
The Cookie Cottage is not closed. It is business as usual. Nielsen said she is still baking inside The Cookie Cottage. The goal is to sell by winter.
If you are interested in buying or want to inquire about the sale of The Cookie Cottage, reach out through The Cookie Cottage’s Facebook page or call LeFevre at (986) 275-9314.
Nielsen started working on The Cookie Cottage at the end of 2017 and opened its doors in January 2018. She was the original owner. She sold the business in 2021 to Tim Hodgson, who retired from the Bar J Wranglers, and he owned it until she bought it back at the end of 2024. She and LeFevre have owned it ever since.
“That’s been my favorite: the people coming in and the connection,” Nielsen added. “It seems silly, but that’s what I wanted. I wanted a little place where the community could come. It’s a fantastic cookie. It is a connection through cookies.”
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