Turning family fun into a full-time bake shop
Looking at Amanda McMonigle’s cookies, you would think she’d been baking and decorating her entire life. But The Whimsical Cookie actually started just a few years ago at the tail end of the Covid pandemic, thanks to her son’s interest in cookie decorating and some quick googling.
“My middle son liked watching the cookie decorating shows. … We had cookies in the oven, and he said, ‘Mom, can we make some of that royal icing?’” McMonigle said. “We made some on the fly.”
She said baking holiday cookies was already a tradition on both sides of the family that naturally progressed after her son’s prompting.
“My 12-year-old says I owe him royalties.”
McMonigle first stepped out in selling when her husband quickly told her his consumption could not keep up with her baking, so she decided to see if anyone was interested in Easter cookies. That led her to cottage home baking before opening the studio and shop in February.
McMonigle first stepped out in selling when her husband quickly told her his consumption could not keep up with her baking, so she decided to see if anyone was interested in Easter cookies. That led her to cottage home baking before opening the studio and shop in February.
“I was a stay-at-home mom doing a lot of volunteer work in the community to now working until 2:30 in the morning doing cookie stuff,” she said.
McMonigle does have an art background, which she credits to her grandmother, and she decorates all of the cookies herself. She also teaches cookie decorating classes at the shop.
“We also bring in cake decorators, we do sourdough classes, and we’re starting Mahjong game nights, which is popular right now,” she said.
The space itself is at 37 Bank St., Suite 11, in the Underground Station in New Albany, which she said is the only space that felt like home.
“When I was looking for a space, it was really important to me to have good, easy parking. A lot of the classes we offer are in the evenings and typically, for the most part, women attending,” McMonigle said. “I love that we have a parking lot behind us.”
She also rents the space out for baby showers, bridal showers, family reunions or other private parties.
The shop itself is currently open Fridays and Saturdays with classes and events throughout the week. McMonigle said they will have extended holiday hours and pop-up hours.
They have signature flavors offered every week and add seasonal flavors each month, such as apple in September and pumpkin in October.
They have signature flavors offered every week and add seasonal flavors each month, such as apple in September and pumpkin in October.
The two most consistent popular picks are the brown butter chocolate chip and the cookies and cream gourmet cookies.
“I like with the gourmet cookies exploring different flavors — coming up with something unique,” she said. “I like that creativity part.”
She also offers a variety of cookie packages for events and for businesses.
“We can do their actual logos, or, like for Nike, we did actual shoe cookies. It’s a really great way for businesses to market themselves.”
“We can do their actual logos, or, like for Nike, we did actual shoe cookies,” she said. “It’s a really great way for businesses to market themselves.”
McMonigle said she wants to become New Albany’s go-to place for gourmet cookies. She loves talking to her customers and remembering what their favorite flavors are. Her goal for the shop experience is simple.
“I want you to leave with some delicious cookies and some good memories.” •
To keep up with The Whimsical Cookie, check out their website at whimsicalcookie.com and follow them on Instagram @the.whimsicalcookie.
Story by Darian Decker
Photos by Michelle Hockman
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