Cookie Cart

Introduction / Overview

**Cookie Cart** in St. Paul is a remarkable organization that serves the Minnesota community on two equally important fronts: as a beloved local **bakery** renowned for its exceptional cookies, and as a powerful **non-profit organization** dedicated to youth development. Far more than just a sweet treat destination, Cookie Cart’s core mission is to empower young adults, typically aged 15 to 18, by providing them with their first paid job experience and comprehensive training in life, leadership, and employment skills.

The bakery acts as a real-world classroom, where hundreds of neighborhood teens each year learn essential skills—from baking and customer service to financial literacy and workplace accountability. Every purchase made at the St. Paul location on Payne Avenue directly supports this transformative work, as 100% of net profits are reinvested into the youth employment program. Customers consistently praise both the "Delicious cookies and great organization" and the "super 'concept'" of a business that teaches business leadership skills for the future. Buying from Cookie Cart is a perfect blend of consumer pleasure and community investment.

Location and Accessibility for Local Users

Cookie Cart is strategically located on the East Side of St. Paul, a thriving neighborhood that values local businesses and community resources.

Address: 946 Payne Ave, St Paul, MN 55130, USA

The Payne Avenue location is easily accessible for residents across the Twin Cities metro area. In alignment with its mission to be an inclusive community anchor, the facility offers high standards of accessibility, featuring a **Wheelchair accessible entrance** and a **Wheelchair accessible parking lot**. This ensures that the bakery and its services are open to all patrons. For quick visits, which are ideal for grabbing a fresh dozen or two, the bakery is well-suited for a **Quick visit**. Furthermore, the bakery offers welcoming and inclusive amenities, including a **Gender-neutral restroom**, and maintains an **LGBTQ+ friendly** environment, reinforcing its commitment to a safe and nurturing space for its youth employees and all members of the community. Payments are made easy with the acceptance of **Credit cards**.

Services Offered by Cookie Cart

Cookie Cart provides a range of services centered around its high-quality cookie production and community engagement model.

• Gourmet Cookie Sales: Offering a classic selection of fresh-baked cookies, with popular flavors including the highly recommended **double chocolate chip**, Chocolate Chip, Snickerdoodle, Gingersnap, M&M, Oatmeal Raisin, Peanut Butter, and seasonal favorites like S'mores.
• Specialty and Custom Cookies: Providing hand-decorated cookies for special occasions like 'Happy Birthday,' 'Congratulations,' and seasonal designs (e.g., Pride, Fall), with options for individual wrapping, making them excellent gifts.
• Multiple Fulfillment Options: Offering flexibility for local customers through **Delivery**, **In-store pickup**, and **In-store shopping** for immediate purchases.
• Limited Dine-in Option: Providing a casual setting for customers to enjoy their freshly baked goods on-site with a **Dine-in** service option.
• Large/Corporate Orders: Catering to corporations, non-profits, and churches with large-volume orders, which are essential to the bakery's non-profit business model.

Features and Highlights That Define the Experience

The distinct features of Cookie Cart revolve around its social enterprise model, which powerfully combines commerce with community impact.

• The Social Enterprise Model: The primary highlight is the concept itself—it’s a working youth organization where the bakery is the classroom. When you buy cookies, you are funding "meaningful work, life and leadership skills" for teens aged 15-18.
• Youth Employment and Training Program: Cookie Cart is a long-standing, year-round employer of local teens, providing paid work experience alongside structured training in customer service, financial literacy, conflict resolution, and leadership development. Teens can also work toward their **National Career Readiness Certification**.
• High-Quality, Beloved Cookies: Despite its non-profit nature, the product quality is consistently high. The cookies are described as **"Super great cookies"** and "delicious," with the double chocolate chip flavor being a particular customer favorite. They are baked with real, quality ingredients, many of which are donated by corporate partners.
• Community Focus and Inclusivity: The organization's strong commitment to its values is evident through its pursuit of equity and opportunity, its focus on **BIPOC youth**, and its welcoming stance as an **LGBTQ+ friendly** establishment with a **Gender-neutral restroom**.
• Easy Gifting Solutions: The availability of **individually wrapped cookies** and specialized packaging for events makes Cookie Cart an easy choice for local individuals and businesses looking for thoughtful gifts or corporate treats.

Contact Information

For Minnesotans looking to order cookies, learn more about the organization, or inquire about employment for a local teen, here is the contact information for the St. Paul location:

Address: 946 Payne Ave, St Paul, MN 55130, USA

Phone: (612) 521-0855 (Also listed as Mobile Phone: +1 612-521-0855)

What is Worth Choosing Cookie Cart

Choosing Cookie Cart means making a purposeful purchase that has a tangible, positive impact on the St. Paul community. It’s an opportunity for Minnesotans to **"bake bright futures"** simply by satisfying a cookie craving. You are not just getting "delicious cookies" at an **"excellent price"**; you are directly investing in the next generation of Twin Cities leaders. The teens gain invaluable **"business leadership skills"** and job-readiness experience, which benefits the entire local economy.

For businesses, ordering large volumes of cookies from Cookie Cart provides a fantastic way to support a non-profit mission while enjoying a high-quality product. For individuals, whether you opt for **Delivery**, a quick **In-store pickup**, or grab a dozen of the highly-rated **double chocolate chip** cookies, you receive a product that feels good to buy and tastes great to eat. Cookie Cart’s unique, mission-driven social enterprise model is its greatest strength and the single best reason for any Minnesota resident to choose this exemplary St. Paul bakery.

Cookie Cart

946 Payne Ave, St Paul, MN 55130, USA