Cookie Bear: A Local Stop for Sweets Lovers

Cookies, candy and chocolates galore—Cookie Bear gift shop has the perfect assortment for decorative platters, party favors or, that aching sweet tooth.

Alison Sparaco, a Merrick native, opened her business in 2006 after first going to culinary school and realizing her love for being creative and putting things together instead.

Cookie Bear, located at 2148 Merrick Mall, has remained in that spot for 18 years. According to Sparaco, when the store went up for sale, she jumped on the opportunity to put a bid in and with the acceptance came great business.

"Business has been good," she said. "We've had our ups and downs because of the economy, but we're able to pay the bills and do what we have to do."

From chocolate covered pretzels, fudge and truffles to jelly beans, gummy bears and lollipops, Cookie Bear has everything for goody bags, gift baskets and more.

"You name it and we could probably do it," Sparaco said.

Sparaco's mother, Linda Sparaco (also a Merrick native) helps her to keep the business going. At first, the store only carried a small amount of cookies, candy and chocolate, but little by little they built the selection up to the point where they are happy with what they do and sell.

The Sparacos make some of the goodies from scratch—including the pretzels and cookie cakes—and they display everything together entirely by themselves.

"This is her dream," Linda Sparaco said of her daughter. "She always wanted this and she really likes to see that the people enjoy getting the old fashioned candy and cookies."

According to Alison Sparaco, the store's biggest sellers are chocolate covered pretzels, rainbow cookies and sour candy.

Hungry yet?