Iowa Cafe Swamped With Orders For "Obama Cookie"

DES MOINES, Iowa — Want an example of the change Barack Obama is bringing to the country? Check out cookie sales at Baby Boomers Cafe in Des Moines.

Ever since word spread about the president-elect and his family's fondness for Baby Boomers' chocolate chunk cookies, the small downtown restaurant can't bake them fast enough.

"Two months ago I was giving these cookies away," said co-owner Rodney Maxfield. "Now, it's like, 'I need two dozen cookies. I need four-dozen cookies.'"

The Obamas were frequent visitors to the cafe in the summer of 2007 when the Illinois senator devoted much of his time to Iowa, where the state's precinct caucuses kick off the presidential nominating process. Obama's main office was next door to Boomers, and his staff made the cafe a second home.

His daughters, 10-year-old Malia and 7-year-old Sasha, would stop by with their mother, Michelle, and Maxfield said they loved the cookies. During a stop in Iowa last month, Obama's staff ordered about a dozen cookies for the family. That's when word got out about their affection for the confection.

Suddenly, sales of 400 cookies in a good week soared to more than 1,000 a week, with requests coming from as far away as Mexico. Alas, the price is going up, from 50 cents to 75 cents a cookie to make up for the time it takes to make more each day.

"I think everybody just ... thought, 'Oh, great cookie, great president _ the world is a happy place. Barack's going to fix all the problems and if I have a bite of this cookie it's going to make me feel good,'" Maxfield said.

(This version CORRECTS time to summer of 2007 instead of last summer.)

Comments

[Badbone]

The cookies is made entirely of sprinkles and frosting. And when you bite into it, it's hollow inside.

[jdw1981]

Kind of like Sarah Palin.

[tonewheel]

The cookies "IS" made....?

Bell's ringing...­recess is over.

[ZimboChick]

lol and MTV and VH1 are no longer being used as learning aides

[Noel Leon]

Sarah Palin wouldn't have a fatty chocolate and white chunk cookie.

She would have a moose mince meat pie. Hot, fresh, and delightful.

Your liberal days are ticking, guys. The VP elect is even predicting a meltdown.

[jdw1981]

And full of Mad Cow disease. It's been present in the wild moose population for some time now. http://www.rense.com/general67/coloradomoose.htm

That would explain some things about her mental condition. Keep eatin' them pies, Sarah.

[StanTheManic]

Congrat's on getting something sold in the US of A that DIDN'T involve an Oprah tie-in.

I live a few miles from this cafe. Never heard of it. Don't friggin care. The best neighborhood rest. in Dum Moines -- a few BLOCKS away -- puts a big jar of C.C. cookies on the bar for after dinner indulgence. Free.

[Brillig]

Americans are so cheap...yo­u want every thing free or for 9.99.

Spend some money for heaven's sake - then maybe you'll continue to earn some.

Stop badmouthing the restaurant - whatever gets them sales...wh­at did YOU sell today?

[DavidKC]

So they're jacking up the price due to "the time it takes to make more each day?" Yeah, right. They're jacking up the price to try to make more profit while they can. American greed never ends.

[rzzza]

uhmm, you say greed like its a bad thing. the purpose of business is to make money. It's not greed, it's opportunism. and opportunism is healthy.

don't like it? dont buy the cookies.

[k4obama]

If you have ever run a business you would know that when you limited capacity and have to reduce production of one product to increase another there may be a cost change. I think 75 cents for a delicious cookie is a bargain, at least it would be in my neighborhood,

[Brillig]

IT is a ridiculous price with Choc chips and flour costing almost nothing in America- absolutely ridiculous. NO cookie should cost more than 25 cents in USA.

[serindipity803]

Where I live - nothing costs .50 or .75 - that cookie would have cost $2.00 before Obama loved them - and remained at $2.00 with an extra cookie in the dozen thereafter (to spur sales higher and increase regulars). A plug from the right source is FREE advertising for an enterprise. More is Better! Who wants to make money - pay their bills and make folks happy?

[jpperry]

Surely, DavidKC, you are familiar with supply and demand?

[Earl]

I have studied the picture of the cookies, but I don't see the resemblance.

[Matt7]

No? Look again. They're sweet, well-rounded, desirable, and have plenty of chocolate inside. How could you miss that? :-)

[whsmith]

somehow I'm reminded of this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hnd3cduU_f0

[concernvoter]

The cookies looks YUMMY!!!!!!!!

[Newsmonger]

I will put this rush to buy cookies out of goodwill or in antcipation of some goodwill in the same category as those whose are rushing to buy guns and firearms in fear that Obama will take them away.

They are all good for business, our economy and the US of A. Anything that can make consumers spend money in this hard economy is good and it will help dig us out of the mess faster.

So, I want all those hunters to keep buying those guns and the cookie lovers to keep buying the cookies and the people that travel all the way to Chicago just to get a haircut from Obama's baber to keep doing that, it is good for our commerce.

While we are at it, lets remember that the Obamas have just one car. And it is made in the US of A and it is a hybrid; So lets start stocking up on all Made in US of A Hybrid cars!

[rzzza]

who doesn't like freshly baked chocolate chip cookies?

i doubt theres anything inherently unique about these cookies, i could be wrong though

[kid5rivers2]

Yup! Yup! Yer wrong! Next!

[rzzza]

ehhh, no i dont think im wrong. all freshly baked chocolate chip cookies are equally delicious

unless these ones have cocaine in them i dont understand whats special about them

the cafe is a stop for obama staffers so that may be it

[Chicago48]

They look Delish. I'm going to find a way to make "Obama" something or other LOL

[Knowitall]

I don't agree. Whether a chocolate chip cookie is delicious is in the eye (or mouth) of the beholder.
For the past few years, I have been on a personal mission to find the world's best chocolate chip cookie. (Though my search has been limited for the most part to the greater Wash. D.C. area.) Believe me, there are big differences. Most are average, and some are just awful.
But again, it's all a matter of opinion and taste. An example that many can relate would be comparing the national chains Larry's Cookies and Mrs. Field's Cookies. I find Larry's to be far superior (Mrs. Field's are too sweet for my taste.) However, neither one would compare favorably to homemade cookies I've tasted.

And, to further my scientific research I will have to order some of the cookies from Iowa.
(Oh, I forgot the Doubletree cookies. They're quite good.)

[harriscrl3]

Im thrilled for anyone making money in this economy particularly small businesses.

Carol

[kid5rivers2]

e.g.: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/27/AR2008112702319.html?xid=rss-page

[familydad]

great cookie story.....­.... we will need many more such stories to put AMERICA back on track

[kid5rivers2]

See my reply to the comment directly above this.

[RJII]

i'm still waiting for Obama designer jeans.

[DotMatrix]

You may not have to wait long. Anything with Obama's face on it is guaranteed to sell.

[MadeinAmericaProud]

Anything PE Obama name can be attached to will sell. That will include "Joe the Plumber's book", he plan on selling.

[Noel Leon]

Might buy a pair if I can suggest where on the jeans to place the face of Ophrah's pick.

[RationalDubSteppa]

Awesome!!! Let Obama-Mania begin!!!

Obama | Biden 2012

[riona]

Well, I've had a Baby Boomer "Obama" cookie, and I must say... pretty damn good!

[Judyisacutie]

Sounds yummy! I noticed the request from Mexico in the article. Do they ship their cookies?

[DogTown]

:) a happy story!