The Ugly Cookie Dessert Shoppe owner Julie Cohn started her business by shipping truffles over the Internet, but she is hoping her new store in Liberty will become a spot for folks to “just hang out and talk over dessert” when it opens in April.

By Steve Lorch
For The Courier

slorch@thepccourier.com

Local Biz Buzz

LIBERTY — Julie Cohn is no stranger to business.

The 36-year-old former hairdresser grew up in an entrepreneurial home in upstate New York and is now the spunk behind The Ugly Cookie Dessert Shoppe in Liberty.

“Ugly Cookie makes and sells truffles and other desserts locally and across the country,” Cohn said recently. “Our most popular one is the Peanut Butter Pretzel Truffle — it’s got that old-fashioned fudge flavor with just the right amount of salt and crunch.”

Like many companies, Ugly Cookie started in a home kitchen.

“Christmas of 2013, I was missing my grandmother, who used to bake during the holidays, so I

Courtesy Photo
The Ugly Cookie Dessert Shoppe specializes in truffles, and Easter truffles are now for sale on the company’s website.

had a baking day in memory of her,” Cohn said. “I had never even made a truffle until then.”

She ended up making way too many to eat.

“I had to do something with all of these desserts, so I gave them away to friends and family,” Cohn said. “They loved them!”

The rest is history.

After being in business for a little more than a year, The Ugly Cookie Dessert Shoppe has shipped truffles to 12 states and is preparing to open a retail location in Liberty on April 9.

“We sell online nationally, but we are really committed to being local,” Cohn said. “We love small-town America, and we want to see Liberty grow.”

Having moved to Liberty with her husband in 2009, Cohn has watched the city go through its ups and downs.

“Liberty is on the upswing, and business is starting to come back, but we still don’t have a place where people can just hang out and talk over dessert and a nice cup of coffee,” she said. “We want to be that ‘it’ place.”

The shop even has a private room that can be reserved for special occasions.

When asked what makes The Ugly Cookie Dessert Shoppe unique, Cohn smiles.

“There really isn’t anything like this in the area,” she said. “We focus on flavor rather than appearances. Basically, we make ugly stuff that tastes great!”

Cohn has no desire to become a global brand.

“Maybe we’ll open a location in another city in the future, but we like to keep it simple,” she said.

If you find yourself in Liberty, stop by, enjoy a truffle and hang out a bit. Store hours are 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., with special Saturday night events also in the works.

The Ugly Cookie Dessert Shoppe is located at 16 S. Commerce St. in Liberty.

You can also place orders online at www.uglycookiedesserts.com.

If you know a local small business that would like to be featured in this column, please contact slorch@thepccourier.com.