Los Angeles's beloved bakery, Milk Jar Cookies, is turning off its ovens for good. Amidst the economic aftermath of the pandemic, a prolonged strike, and escalating costs, the famed local bakery announced it will close its Encino and Mid-Wilshire locations permanently after January 15. LA Eater reported the news, marking another loss for LA's culinary scene following Sweet Lady Jane's shutdown last week.
Founded by former television post-producer Courtney Cowan, Milk Jar Cookies gained popularity quickly following its 2013 launch. The bakery, known for shipping its treats nationwide, was a success story until recent economic strains. According to the bakery's Instagram post, the array of challenges due to COVID-19, construction delays, the writers/actors strike, and inflation "have made it impossible to continue our operations."
Milk Jar Cookies is asking its loyal customers to stop by for one last taste before they close. "It would mean the world to us to share these last moments with the community that has been the heart and soul of Milk Jar Cookies," the company stated in an Instagram post.
While Milk Jar Cookies bids adieu, the implications of their closure resonate with many similar small businesses grappling with the pressures of recovering from the global pandemic and a changing economic landscape. Found by way of Courtney Cowan's journey from TV to cookies, the business thrived on a simple concept: delivering homemade-style cookies to a vast audience.
