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Baking the world a better place
Behind every cookie
This isn't a single founder story. This is a community story—63 years in the making, built by parents who refused to accept that their children didn't belong, and sustained by people who show up every day believing that everyone deserves meaningful work.
Amanda & Milo - Veteran bakers with nearly 20 years at Prescott. They remember when it was Fireside Kitchen. They lived through the gluten-free transition. Every successful recipe carries their fingerprints—and the memory of dozens that didn't work.
Kelsey - Cafe supervisor who brings professional food industry expertise wrapped in patient, supportive leadership. She creates an environment where learning happens at the speed it needs to, not the speed the market demands.
Adrienne McCormick - Employment coach who walks alongside employees as they build skills and confidence. She's witnessed transformations that statistics can't capture—the quiet moment when someone realizes they're capable of more than anyone told them they could do.
The Red Seal Chef - Professional culinary training meets social mission. They ensure commercial kitchen standards while never losing sight of why this work matters.
Bonnie Doward and 19 other employees with disabilities - The real heart of this operation. They come to work. They learn new skills. They serve customers. They earn fair wages. They build resumes and confidence and futures that extend far beyond this cafe.
And behind all of them stands Alice Evans and the entire Prescott Group team—50 staff members supporting 300+ participants across multiple programs, all guided by one unchanging principle: everybody belongs.
Building community through supported employment
Wait, this Is Gluten-Free?
The undisputed champion. These cookies represent years of recipe failures, flour experiments, and the team's absolute refusal to settle for "good enough for gluten-free." When customers genuinely can't tell they're gluten-free—when they're just delicious cookies, period—that's validation for every failed batch, every late night, every moment of doubt. Available in six rotating flavors, they sell out regularly because word spreads fast about food this good.
Customer favorite quote: "Bought one of each muffin and several cookies. Great find. Please keep baking amazing gf cookies and muffins."
Coming in as a close second, these substantial muffins prove that gluten-free baking can deliver perfect texture, moisture, and flavor. From chocolate chip coconut to lemon blueberry, each one represents the baking team's commitment to creating food so good that dietary restrictions become invisible. Customers have been known to arrive right as they come out of the oven—still warm—and leave with bags full.
Customer favorite quote: "The blueberry muffins are a standout, filled with juicy blueberries."
A Heartfelt Note
To our community,
When someone walks in and asks, "Is this gluten-free?" and then looks genuinely surprised at how good it tastes—that's when we know we're on the right path.
But the cookies were never really the point. We're here because we believe everyone belongs. Everyone deserves meaningful work at fair wages. Everyone should have the chance to build skills, gain confidence, and feel valued.
Yes, we run a cafe. But we're much more than that. We're providing opportunities for people who may not find them in traditional workplaces. We're creating a community where waiting an extra two minutes for your coffee means supporting someone's journey toward independence and dignity.
You might have to wait a bit longer than at other cafes. Our menu is intentionally limited. We don't always have everything in stock. But every cookie you buy, every coffee you order, every patient moment you spend with us—you're supporting fair wage employment for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Thank you for being part of this community. For understanding that the heart behind what we do is about inclusion and belonging. For choosing to support a mission that goes far beyond baked goods.
With gratitude,
The North End Baking Company Team
Prescott Group