Our business philosophy ~
Don't say "No" unless there is 'no way'.  Make a consistently good quality product at a competitive price.   Create a homey, friendly atmosphere. Build relationships with customers.
About the only thing we won't do for customers is sell them our recipes!

The Cookie Tree History

In December 1981 we opened our first store on Plumas Street in Yuba City.   At the time, gourmet cookie stores were quite popular. We looked at cookie stores in San Francisco and decided that our cookies were just as good or better - and that we could make them at more affordable prices! Cookies have to taste good, and we knew that two people can use the same recipe and get different results.

Our business was born on a shoestring.  We spent absolutely no money on advertising – our success was dependent upon customers passing around the good word – and the great cookies! Our first cookies sold for 35 cents each, or 3 for $1.00.

We bought the kitchen equipment, cash register, display case, cookie trays, cooking tables and dining chairs and tables at discount rates, and kept our initial overhead to a minimum. But we have never undercut the quality that goes into our cookies - we don't use bleached flours, imitation chocolates, powdered eggs or preservatives. We don't use purchased mixes.  Cookie Tree cookies are made in our Yuba City kitchen as we would make them at home. 

When the store was moved to its current location at Bridge and Shasta Streets in 1991, we finally had room for two ovens and a lot more preparation area.  The new store also had more room for our customers to be able to sit and enjoy their cookies or pastries, and take a break from a busy day.  We have comment books on the tables, and appreciate the entries that have been made over the years.

Cookie Tree Employees

Half of our employees are bakers, half of them counter staff, and some do both! Some of our employees start as after-school workers during high school, and work their way through college. One graduated with a nursing degree, one is a communications major, and another as a music  major. Several of our employees are from one family. We are all very close, and enjoy socializing together away from The Cookie Tree.