Cookies of Course opened in Harbour Centre in April 1984.
Alan Boysen was the original Cookie Chef and Manager and is now the Head Cookie.
Cookies of Course had an outlet at Vancouver's Expo '86 (lots of cookies, lots of fun and lots of rent paid out!)
Cookies of Course has been owned and operated by the Boysen family since 1987.
Environment:
In the fast food sector, there is the on-going debate of paper versus styrofoam cups. After reviewing all the available information, we decided on styrofoam, but recognizing this isn't the perfect solution, we looked for other options.
1990 we introduced "bring your own cup" for coffee or tea in order to reduce waste going to the landfill.
We also give a discount so you get coffee for only $1.25 per cup!
We estimate saving about 50,000 disposable cups yearly from going to landfills.
As of October 2009, about 940,000 cups have been saved from the landfills - that's a lot of saved waste!
2004 we started using bulk milk and sugar dispensers in our store to further decrease waste going to the landfill. Click here for more info
2006 our company vehicle was switched to a popular gas electric hybrid model
2008 we renovated our store using sustainable materials throughout including:
Solid paper surface - PaperStoneTM - for the counter tops and tray rail:
It's made from recycled paper and a petroleum-free resin that contains natural ingredients including cashew nut shell liquid.
It's extremely hard, practically impervious to water, scratch resistant, highly resistant to staining and can bear temperatures to 350 degrees.
It has been used for years as cutting boards in commercial kitchens, so we decided it is not only an excellent choice for kitchens - but for high volume cookie stores, too!
Cork tiles on the walls and counter faces below the counters:
Cork is noted for its quiet and durable features as flooring, but it's also naturally anti-microbial, low in volatile organic compound emissions and easy to clean.
Cork is harvested from the Cork Oak tree, which naturally splits every 9-15 years, at which time it is harvested without harming the tree.
The bark grows back so this cycle continues for years - cork oaks have been known to live for up to 500 years!
Social Concerns:
We support local charities in Vancouver (where our retail store is located) and Bowen Island (where our office is located). We regularly donate day old muffins to the Union Gospel Mission and the Lookout Shelter, both located in the downtown eastside of Vancouver.
In 1997, Cookies of Course switched to only selling Farmers First Fairly Traded Organic Coffees (far ahead of the "corporate" coffee shops around town).
This policy supports environmentally sound agricultural practices in the coffee growing regions such as Mexico and Guatemala and allows these coffee farmers a higher standard of living than conventional coffee growing practices.
Job Openings:
Even though we have low staff turn-over, sometimes we need some extra help, so we appreciate having some resumes on hand.
We recommend you deliver your resume to us in person, although we will also accept them by email at
Suitable for students.
Since our store is a high volume outlet, we look for people who:
are friendly and like meeting people
are hard working
have excellent English skills (spoken, comprehension and written)
have very good basic math skills - that is, can make change quickly & accurately and do very accurate cash-outs
have or are willing to learn, basic baking and barrista skills
are willing and able to work with minimal supervision after training
are "neat freaks" (to keep our store ship shape at all times)
are able to lift 12 kilos
have a good sense of humour!
Perks:
A great window view to the mountains and harbour.
Cookies and lattes! Yep - you can have a cookie a day if you want - we encourage our staff to be familiar with all our products.
Flexibility.
Environmental and Social awareness as part of our business philosophy.
Close to Skytrain and buses.
Close to downtown campuses for SFU, BCIT, VCC and other schools.
Friendly and loyal customers.
Low staff turn-over, which goes to show we're pretty good to work with.
