A mother and daughter baking team is preparing to bring New Jersey a cookie jar that residents will be happy to be caught with their hands in. Denise Anthony and Jillian Branyan are bringing their delicious and sweet concept, The Cookie Basket Cafe, to Haddonfield later this year, reports local media outlet South Jrsey Food Scene.
Anthony and Branyan will be baking up their delectable treats at 223 Kings Highway, in the former home of Groovy Smoovies. Denise Anthony spoke with What Now Philadelphia about finding a home in Haddonfield for her and her daughter’s burgeoning company, explaining that the pair had a storefront prior to COVID, however the pandemic caused them to shut their doors. The duo kept their business alive as cottage bakers but never abandoned the hope of opening a new brick and mortar. Growth and an available storefront conspired to make 2024 the year that Anthony and Branyan attained their dream.
“We never thought a shop in downtown Haddonfield would be possible for us. We have always loved the historic architecture of the shops and homes, and would walk the neighborhood admiring the charm.” Anthony states. “Our business is growing rapidly and we began looking around for a shop location in January of this year…Then a week ago, my husband and I were walking in downtown Haddonfield and I saw the empty shop at 223 Kings Highway East. We immediately called the number on the sign in the window, and within 4 days we signed a lease!”
The storefront will allow the mother-daughter duo to become a greater part of the community by providing a space to host more and larger events. Anthony explains: “Over the last 2 years, Jill and I have hosted many events. Our events are well attended, and we usually have to turn people away, so having our own space will give us the opportunity to share our fun events with more guests.”
Anthony credits Branyan with creating the cafe’s unique and pleasant atmosphere, saying “Jill has many talents. She is extremely artistic and makes the yummiest desserts! Her design vision for this shop is to give guests the ambiance of dining in an English Garden. Light & airy, soothing colors, a relaxing atmosphere, but a place to gather with friends to enjoy delicious food along with discussing fond memories and lots of laughter.”
The Cookie Basket will offer hungry visitors a wide range of sweet treats and light, delicious lunch options. Anthony describes the menu, stating “Our dining concept is mostly quick-bites and light lunch options, along with our desserts to enjoy eat-in or takeout. We will also be serving Fruit infused Smoothies, fun/festive Mocktails, and gourmet tea and coffee drinks….We will be serving Given’s Coffee which is an exceptional brand, and we will brew it fresh from the beans on site! Given’s Coffee officially represents The Children’s Miracle Network and a large portion of the proceeds go directly to the children.”
The Cookie Basket is a true, grass-roots family business, involving multiple generations. Anthony explains: “I have a grandson who is 15 and a technical wizard and ready to set up our website and accounting programs, and my younger grandson is almost 12 and wants to be a chef, so we have a great outlook to keep this business in the family and flourishing into the future.”
Anthony and Branyan are hoping to fire up their ovens by late summer. Anthony describes the prospective timeline, saying “The lease was signed 4 days ago! The zoning application was submitted immediately and we have begun the renovations. Painting, cleaning and arranging the kitchen equipment, etc. Jill will begin hand-painting the Garden Mural next week, and we will continue to submit all the other permit requirements as needed.”
Branyan and Anthony are looking forward to serving their community, both through delicious cuisine and warm, welcoming atmosphere. Anthony states: “ I enjoy thinking of customers as our guests rather than a customer, because they will be entering into our dream of a beautiful little garden cafe, which evokes memories for Jill and I of younger years when we enjoyed going for tea or lunch with a fun atmosphere where we could linger over conversation….We are ready to go to work! And we cannot wait to meet our neighbors and become part of the downtown Haddonfield family.”
