Connie's Bakery & General Store is a socially-responsible business providing homemade baked goods, custom gift baskets and cakes and handcrafted gift items all with one common goal: The more we sell - the more we give to charity! Connie's donates 100% of net profits to charity. Order from our online store or come visit us in person and see our entire line of handmade goods. Click here for store addresses.
Our Business Mission
To use the finest, most wholesome ingredients to create incredible cookies, cakes, pies and tarts the way grandma used to - by hand.
To make purchasing decisions for both our bakery and retail store,
whenever possible, to support small farmers and craftsmen.
To lead by example in paying our employees a living wage, plus providing medical benefits for our full-time employees.
Our Social Responsibility
To provide a hand-up for our neighbors who have faced a variety of barriers to sustainable employment. Our employees will take part in a one-year, full-time baking apprenticeship program, during which they will train under Executive Pastry Chef Simeon Manber, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and former Assistant Pastry Chef at Babbo, Mario Batali's flagship New York City restaurant. At the end of their apprenticeships, we will help employees use their new skills to move into higher level jobs in the food service industry. Connie's will then go out and recruit a whole new group of apprentices.
(Some of our baking apprentices have been recruited from JOBSTAR, a great program that teaches the basic skills required for entry level food service industry, while preparing participants to earn their ServSAVE Certificate).
To make a difference in the lives of those who are less fortunate by providing charities with cash donations and opportunities for increased exposure. Each year, Connie will choose up to six charities to be featured partners in our store, enabling our customers to learn more about their good work.
MEET CONNIE
Connie Milstein is a successful attorney, entrepreneur, senior business executive and philanthropist. As Principal and Co-Founder of Ogden CAP Properties, LLC, she oversees and guides the company's real estate, hotel and development operations. Connie directed Ogden CAP Properties through the elegant reconstruction of Washington DC 's historic Jefferson Hotel.
Connie has been very fortunate and believes those who are fortunate should give back to those in need. "What I have tried to do is what my father always told me-find a niche where people are not doing what needs to be done and try to fill it." said Connie. In keeping with this philosophy, she created the bakery training program that provides people with opportunities, training and guidance while bringing sweetness to their lives.
Guided by the principal of giving back to the country that has given her so much, Connie is a Board member of Blue Star Families, and actively works to support military families. Connie's "Adopt a Base" program honors military families with special events and treats for children. Connie serves on the Board of Directors of CURE (Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy), a non-profit dedicated to finding a cure for epilepsy. Connie is committed to finding a cure for the disease, and erasing the stigma of epilepsy. Connie also serves on the Board of Advisors of the National Symphony Orchestra.
Connie's life-long commitment to individuals and the community are showcased in her bakery and general store where 100% of profits are donated to local charities.
MEET OUR EXECUTIVE PASTRY CHEF
Executive Pastry Chef Simeon Manber is the "Top Chef" at Connie's Bakery & General Store. Not only does he run the entire baking operation he also trains pastry apprentice's everyday. As part of Connie's commitment to socially sustainable employment, Chef Simeon carefully instructs and demonstrates the techniques he learned while studying at the Culinary Institute of America. He also brings his amazing dessert creations from his tenure at three of Manhattan's top restaurants including The Cub Room, An American Place and Mario Batali's Babbo.
His compassion for helping others makes Chef Simeon well suited for training Connie's apprentices who have faced a variety of barriers to sustainable employment. He works individually with each trainee to develop the skills necessary to move into higher levels of the food service industry.
FOUNDATION SWEET SUCCESS
Each year, up to six non-profit organizations are selected as Connie's charitable partners. Foundation Sweet Success, a 501(c)(3) has been established as the giving vehicle for Connie's Bakery & General Store. Since 100% of the after-tax profits are donated to charity, our charitable partners all receive a piece of the "pie." Any not for profit organization interested in becoming one of Connie's Charitable Partners please click here.
In addition to making purchases in our store and online, you can also support Connie's mission by making a donation* directly to our Charitable Foundation, Foundation Sweet Success. 100% of these funds will be donated to our charitable partners. Click here for details.
*All donations made to Foundation Sweet Success are 100% tax-deductible. As required by the IRS, a letter acknowledging your donation and stating that we provided no goods or services in consideration of this gift will also be sent to you.