A new cookie shop has come to the city of Hayward. Butter Pecan Bakeshop held their grand opening at their new location on 22656 Mission Blvd. on Feb. 25 from 12-5 p.m.
Promoting themselves as the “best cookies in the bay”, Butter Pecan’s cookies are baked-fresh daily, making sure they are rich, buttery and delicious. Their recipes are rooted in and inspired by southern traditions; founder Wendell Hunter prides himself in creating a cookie smorgasbord, tasting as if “Someone’s grandma made them… a true homemade/homestyle cookie.”
Prior to the newest opening, Butter Pecan had five locations around the Bay Area. Originally opening in Pinole, they also have bakeshops in Emeryville, Fairfield, Pleasant Hill and Vallejo. Hayward now becomes their sixth, but first franchised location; under the ownership of a native Bay Area family, the Chaus.
Each of the bakeshops have 10 different cookie recipes on their daily menu, offering various options for any cookie craving; some of their most popular selections include their brown butter pecan and banana pudding.
Butter Pecan sells a single cookie at $3.95, while half a dozen is $23 and a complete dozen at $39. They also offer local delivery and nationwide shipping for any online orders.
Experiencing the grand opening was vibrant and exciting. What started as a simple five-person line with myself at the end tail around 11:15 a.m., by opening, the line had stretched down the walkway, consisting of easily over 100 people.
Before the doors officially opened, Wendell held a quick speech where he included the company’s history of originating in the city of Pinole during the COVID-19 pandemic, in which he and his wife created what would be the first iteration of the brown butter pecan cookies.
Satisfied with the homemade product, his ambitions led him to wanting to create a bakeshop/company. However, before he began to build his company, he outlined three major steps: first, to prioritize his family values and the community; second, always providing outstanding customer service; and third, taking the lead on everything quality control.
The Chau family also spoke for a brief minute, full of appreciation and excitement, before returning the microphone to Wendell in which then Hayward city officials/members of chambers of commerce presented and congratulated the owners in opening their new shop in their city and community.
They held a quick rope cutting ceremony and finally let in the first few customers to begin their grand opening. In what was a very friendly, joyous and sweet smelling atmosphere, Butter Pecan Bakeshop began to fill the awaiting eager mouths of cookie lovers in Hayward.
