I did not want to make this decision, but sometimes you have to do what you have to do…not what you want to do. Unfortunately, recovery from my accident back in March has been taking so much longer than I ever had anticipated. I’m getting better (I’m using a walker now!) but there is still a long road ahead. Thank you all for the overwhelming outpouring of love, well-wishes and support during the past four months! It has been truly humbling to know so many people care.

Those of you who know me know that when I do something, I do it with all my heart and soul. I’ve worked tirelessly over the past 9 years to follow my dream of owning a little cookie shop in my hometown. And I was able to live that dream for 3 ½ years after almost 6 years of late-night baking and selling our cookies at farmer’s markets, festivals, craft fairs, breweries and almost any other venue I could find. I could have never even made it this far without the support and love from my husband, Larry, and our kid, Valleri. I cannot put into words how much I appreciate their hard work and sacrifices over the years. I also have to send love to my “elves” – my close friends who freely gave their time to help out at the holidays to make sure everything got out the door on time. I’ve met so many wonderful people along the way – vendors, crafters, customers – many of whom I will always consider friends.

I am so proud of what we accomplished – providing scrumptious all-natural baked goods using local ingredients and operating our business with honesty, integrity and transparency. In the Café, I’m proud that we were a safe, welcoming space for everyone who walked through the door. I will miss our weekly Mah-Jong ladies, our young customers who loved the “pink cookies” (frosted sugar cookies), customers who needed gifts for their families, friends and clients, our awesome “regulars” and the customers just passing through town. I’m proud that we supported CT-based companies – from the art on the wall (including the blossoming of Larry’s talent for painting!) and our free Artist of the Month program, items for sale made by local vendors and crafters, and serving local products from Perkatory Roasters and Bittersweet Farm. I was so thrilled that we were able to be the catalyst for our town’s first PRIDE event and that there were so many people who rallied behind it.

I encourage all of you to take risks and follow your dreams! Regardless of the outcome, the time will pass anyway as they say, so you may as well go for it instead of regretting what you always wanted to do. I am blessed knowing what we were able to accomplish, even though it’s ending. I am not sure what my next journey will be at this point, but you know it will be with gusto and determination. Thank you all for following us on this wild ride.

Peace, love and cookies – Andie, Larry and Valleri