Gimmee Jimmy's Cookies facts for kids
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| Private | |
| Founded | West Orange, New Jersey (1983) |
| Founder | Jimmy Libman |
| Headquarters | , |
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Number of employees
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20 |
Gimmee Jimmy's Cookies is a company known for its delicious cookies. It was started in 1983 in West Orange, New Jersey, United States. The founder was a man named Jimmy Libman. Jimmy was born deaf, but he didn't let that stop him. He ran his cookie company for over 20 years all by himself. He also hired other deaf workers. This gave them a chance to learn and grow. It showed everyone that being deaf doesn't limit what you can achieve.
Contents
The Story of Gimmee Jimmy's Cookies
Early Days and Growth
When Jimmy Libman owned Gimmee Jimmy's Cookies, the company mainly sold cookies in gift tins. These were popular during the Christmas season. They sold to both individuals and other businesses. All the cookies were made in a small building in West Orange.
Later, Jimmy sold the company to a new group. This group wanted to make Gimmee Jimmy's Cookies even bigger. They wanted to open stores where people could buy cookies directly.
Cookie Bars and Challenges
The new owners opened two retail stores. They called these stores Gimmee Jimmy's Cookie Bars. One was in Montclair, New Jersey, and the other in Livingston, New Jersey. These Cookie Bars sold Gimmee Jimmy's Cookies along with coffee and other treats. You could find cupcakes and muffins there too.
However, around 2008, there was a big economic downturn. This meant that many businesses struggled. Because of this tough time, the group that owned Gimmee Jimmy's Cookies had to close their business.
A Fresh Start and New Focus
In 2009, Gimmee Jimmy's Cookies got a fresh start. A new group from Sarasota, Florida, bought the company. They had a big goal: to make Gimmee Jimmy's Cookies famous across the country.
To do this, they made some important changes. They brought back the original cookie recipes. These were the same recipes Mr. Libman first used in 1983. They also closed the retail stores. These stores were not doing as well as hoped.
Moving Online and Expanding
In 2014, Gimmee Jimmy's Cookies moved its main business online. They opened a large bakery in Inwood, New York. This bakery is close to John F. Kennedy International Airport. Being near the airport helps them ship cookies faster to customers.
Today, Freeman Lewin leads the company. Gimmee Jimmy's Cookies has gone back to its roots. They focus on selling gift tins and corporate gifts. They also use technology to help large companies order many cookies at once. Since 2014, the company has been featured in several well-known publications. These include Inc, Business Weekly, Inquirer, and BuzzFeed.
Giving Back to the Community
The new owners wanted to continue the company's tradition of doing good. So, they created the Gimmee Jimmy's Children's Foundation. A part of the money the company earns goes to this foundation. The foundation's goal is to bring joy to children. They help kids who are in the hospital with different illnesses.
Besides the foundation, Gimmee Jimmy's Cookies also helps with fundraising. They work with schools, places of worship, and other non-profit groups. This helps these organizations raise money for their important work.
Special Certifications
Gimmee Jimmy's Cookies also has special certifications. These show that their cookies meet certain food standards. They are certified by OK Kosher Certification and the Volover Rav. This means their cookies follow specific dietary laws. For example, they are pas Yisroel, and if dairy is used, they are cholov Yisroel.
