Rochester Baker’s Sweet Success Following Rise To Fame on Facebook
When her grandfather moved into her home, Jenn Riggio didn’t know what to do.
Freshly unemployed and suddenly with a lot of time on her hands, Jenn, 45, had only one thing on her mind; she wanted a cookie. With a whisk and a recipe, Jenn entered the world of cookie making and never looked back.
Located at 3240 Chili Ave. in Rochester, New York, Jenn’s Cookie Creations resides in its new and improved location. The sweetness of cookies and frosting greets you upon entering the building, reflecting the happiness of the atmosphere. It is here that we sat down with Jenn to discuss her shop’s journey from the beginning to the here and now.
In the beginning, Jenn sold her unique cookies to friends and family, earning her a small group of supporters. Elizabeth Ayres, a family friend and dedicated supporter of Jenn’s, was quick to attest to the deliciousness of Jenn’s creations.
“They’re so yummy, I could eat them all day!”
Following the passing of her grandfather in 2014, Jenn decided to take her cookie making talent one step further. She set out to open a home-based business complete with a licensed commercial kitchen.
Then came the issue of spreading word of her business. Jenn began to upload images of her cookie creations to Facebook. A picture of her Buffalo Bills themed cookies, in particular, changed the course of her life. Little did she know that with the press of a button, her life would change forever. Seemingly overnight, Jenn and her cookies gained a lot of attention. All eyes were on Jenn, and she wasn’t ready for such quick success.
“It was rough, I wasn’t prepared,” Jenn said. “I did it for fun, you know? And then to have such enormous growth and people resonate with it so much, it’s awesome. But it is hard adjusting at first.”
With such rapid growth, Jenn knew soon into her business’s official startup that she would have to expand her workspace. With the help of her husband, Tony Riggio, her son, A.J. Riggio, and her daughter, Samantha Lawlor, a location was scouted and renovated to fit her businesses needs.
In January of 2017, Jenn’s Cookie Creations opened the doors to its first location in Chili. Nearly four years later, Jenn was set on moving the business to an even larger location.
“The biggest challenge was finding the right location,” A.J. Riggio said. “She spent probably three weeks looking for a spot that would work. Most of the problems with the building were in the walls and lights, but nothing was more difficult than trying to get a certified oven through the back door.”
Jenn’s family and friends have had her back every step of the way. From lending an extra hand on busy days, to supporting her through the struggles of starting and maintaining a business. Jenn is thankful for everyone who has aided her on her journey.
“I don’t think I could have made it all these years without them,” Jenn exclaimed with a smile on her face.
And her smile never falters. As she picks up a piping bag to decorate a cookie, or simply greeting a customer as they enter the shop. Jenn loves what she does, and anyone in the vicinity can tell. However, Jenn persisted there are parts to her job that aren’t entirely sweet.
“One day, I’ll overcome how many hours I work,” Jenn laughs. “That will probably never happen.”
