Tucked inside the Northwoods Mall, the warm aroma of fresh-baked cookies is more than just a treat for shoppers. It is a continuation of a family legacy nearly a quarter-century in the making. Ware’s Cookie Shack has become a beloved name in the community, built from scratch by a mother’s love, powered by family, and now steered into the future by her son, Andre Ware.
What began in 2001 as a simple storefront, born out of faith, resilience, and a love for baking, has evolved into a symbol of generational grit and sweet success.
Andre calls himself a “reluctant baker,” explaining, “This wasn’t my plan, but it was my mom’s dream. And after she passed, I knew I had to keep it going, not just for her, but for the people who still believe in what she built.”
From Sunday School Sales to a Storefront Dream
The roots of Ware’s Cookie Shack go back further than the business itself. Andre’s mother began baking as a young girl, but it was during her years teaching Sunday school that the entrepreneurial spark began to glow. To raise money for her students, she started baking and selling cookies to members of her church. The family would hand-deliver treats from the back of their van, with Andre and his brothers right there helping.
“She had four sons and always said, ‘I didn’t have any girls, so I’m gonna teach you boys everything,’” Andre recalls. “She taught us how to cook, how to bake, how to run things. We didn’t realize at the time, she was preparing us for something bigger.”
After being laid off from her part-time job, Andre’s mother took a business course at Illinois Central College and officially opened the original Cookie Shack in 2001. For more than a decade, the business served fresh baked goods to the Peoria community, including a steady flow of students from the middle school next door.
Though the original storefront closed in 2012, the family remained a consistent vendor at the Peoria Riverfront Farmers Market, where they’ve now been a presence for over 20 years. Andre officially took the reins two years ago after his mother’s passing.
“It was never about the money,” he says. “It was about the impact. We had people come in as kids, and now they’re bringing their own kids to the Shack. That kind of legacy means everything.”
A New Chapter with the Same Heart
Today, Ware’s Cookie Shack has found a new home in the Northwoods Mall food court. With help from his wife and niece, Andre is breathing new life into the business, honoring its roots while paving a new path.
As the solo operator, he wears all the hats, from baker to bookkeeper to cashier. He admits that growth can be overwhelming, but says he’s been able to keep going thanks to community support and key guidance from the Small Business Development Center at Bradley University.
The SBDC Connection
Through every phase of his journey, Andre has found critical support from SBDC advisors like Eric Sampson and Chris. “One of the biggest blessings has been working with Eric,” he says. “He really listens. I lost my sounding board when I lost my mom, and having someone who gets it, who sees your vision and helps you shape it, that’s priceless.”
The SBDC has provided assistance with everything from evaluating business structure to helping Andre apply for the Smart Start Grant. They’re also guiding him through the process of converting the business to an LLC and working through next steps for potential in-store baking at the mall location.
Andre says, “The SBDC is a resource that more people need to know about. They’re not just giving advice, they’re giving you a map, a plan, and the confidence to move forward.”
Looking Ahead
Andre’s next big goal is to fully activate his storefront by baking on-site, which would ease the logistical burden of transporting baked goods and give him more creative control. He’s currently working with the health department and mall management to assess what’s possible.
“I just want to be able to serve the community better, be consistent, be present, and make sure that every cookie we sell still carries that love my mom poured into every batch,” he says.
A Sweet Future, Grounded in Faith
Running a small business isn’t easy, but Andre says the reward is worth the effort. He carries with him one of his mother’s guiding principles: “Take it one day at a time.”
“Every cookie, every customer, every conversation—that’s how we keep her spirit alive,” Andre says. “And with the right people in your corner, like the SBDC, you realize you’re not alone.”
As Ware’s Cookie Shack continues its journey in Peoria, one thing remains certain. Legacy never goes out of style—and for those who crave a taste of tradition, the cookie jar is always open.
– Stephanie Bridgeman-McClaskey, Turner Center for Entrepreneurship Journalism Intern
Contact Information
(309) 258-9542