Carol Goldman is a true entrepreneurial success story, worthy of any episode of "The Apprentice." What started as a cherished hobby became her flourishing Highland Park-based company, Carol's Cookies. Thirty years ago, Goldman was persuaded by friends and family to approach a local upscale grocery store with her beloved homemade cookies. When all eight dozen sold out in record time, Carol's Cookies was born. Praise from People magazine and Food & Wine soon followed.
Now, those half-pound, four-inch cookie monsters -- available in 11 flavors such as chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin with pecans, old-fashioned sugar and toffee crunch -- are sold in all 50 states in upscale groceries, specialty shops and department stores, along with the company's thriving mail-order business. Along the way, Goldman moved the operations out of her home kitchen and into a nearby facility and brought her son, Jeff, on board to help grow the business, expand the technology and increase national distribution. Jeff Goldman has since helped launch the Carol's Cookies Web site, create a Facebook community and introduce new cookie flavors and line extensions.
For the company's 30th anniversary, Carol's Cookies will be offering new promotions, such as scoop-and-bake cookie dough available in reusable tins in the popular chocolate chip and oatmeal raisin recipes ($8.49-$8.99). And, coming this summer, look for a 30 percent discount on these completely addictive creations at various retail locations.
