A Cookie Legacy Bites the Dust
I first heard the news from another Circus Animal cookie enthusiast - my daughter’s best friend. “Deb, I have some really horrible news to tell you,” she started, almost scaring me. “Circus Animal cookies are being discontinued and they are not even on the shelves at the Safeway!” You see, Cat knows that in my house, if someone comes in bearing a package of these morsels, nearly all is forgiven or someone will be getting their way. Now, apparently that leverage is gone. It sounds pretty silly, but I was really very saddened by this news. It’s a little piece of childhood/adulthood, crumbled to pieces.
To confirm for myself about the demise of this 92 year old cookie legacy, Mother’s Cookies and their sister company, Archway, of course I went online and sure enough, they appear to be filing for bankruptcy reorganization protection under Chapter 11. Workers have been reported as saying they think there is (the new buzzword for all companies that go down) corporate greed or a hope to break the union, but what really hasn’t been clear is any plans for either getting this company back up and running, or if there will be another player to come into the picture and add some much-needed capital so their doors can reopen; they apparently have liabilities of more than $500 million, not exactly chump change.
To soften the blow of this cookie eulogy, some clever folks at Cloth Moth 
have come up with a great “memorial shirt.” And yes, I have ordered mine. They’re pretty cute and I imagine when I wear it, people that know this news will join me in a moment of quiet cookie mourning. Also, the moment I found out, I went to the store and bought up what was left of the Circus Animal cookies (4 pathetic bags) and have treated them like gold all weekend.
Do you have a Mother’s Cookies or Archway favorite of your own? Share your story. I don’t want to feel ridiculous about a cookie all by myself.
I am very sad. I absolutely LOVE the circus animals. My husband makes fun of my pink & white sprinkled cookies. I don’t care. They are happiness, childhood and innocence all melded perfectly in a delicious bite sized morsel. Now I have to make a special trip to the store to buy some. Savor each and every bite. I know that all good things must come to an end, but why do the Circus Animals go down while other junk lives on? Farewell Circus Animals.
Sam - Hahaha too bad your daughter didn’t get the news to you first..
Cat - I was very saddened at this news.
Sam - Depression depression it will be missed for sure.
Cat - I’ve been upset about this all week
Sam - =[ I’m sorry
Now what’s our plan for leverage? SAMOAS!!!!!!!!
ouch… I didn’t know Archway was part of this. Now this really hurts. Although honestly, I can’t remember the last time I bought any. It’s probably my fault. Please forgive me.
Share the story, I think the more people that finally hear about it, the better. What was very odd this past weekend is I was in the Bay Area, less than an hour from the Oakland-based Mother’s cookie production plant. People I told were flabbergasted at the news, and these are informed people, who read print and online media regularly. My hope is some company swoops in and saves the day.
Found your blog and this post, it’s certainly disconcerting! Relished all the Mother’s Cookies, especially the Oatmeal Frosted Raisin.
So sad about this, but loved your story. These were childhood favorites of mines and what our family could afford over some of the more expensive cookies. Too bad there isn’t a bailout for a good cookie company.