From choir to cookies. How owner of Craig’s Cookies got his start in Toronto
Posted November 8, 2022 4:45 pm.
Craig’s Cookies has become a Toronto staple since it first opened in 2018, but owner Craig Pike’s other venture has him hitting the high notes.
Pike, who is from St. John’s, Newfoundland, came to Toronto in 2004 to study acting.
“I moved to Toronto, and I wanted to join a choir, and I thought, ‘Hey, why not start my own?’ … So I called eight of my friends, we sang in a room and held a concert. Fifty people came, and I thought, why not continue it.”
The cookies came later. He first opened the shop in Parkdale and has since expanded to six locations across the city.
Craig and his cookies quickly developed a loyal following for the unique flavours.
“In 2013, I needed to pay my phone bill … and I started Craig’s Cookies. I began delivering cookies on my bike to my friends in the city and between gigs. In less than 10 years, we now have six locations.”
It’s the cookie business that has allowed Pike to start his own arts company called That Arts Group, the parent company of that choir.
“Fifteen years later, it is now a 16-member acapella professional vocal ensemble in the city,” Pike shared.
Their first concert of the season is on Friday and Saturday, just in time for Remembrance Day.
“It’s called That Choir Remembers, and it’s set to inspire reflection for us to kind of think about grief, but also love and hope.”
In addition to the choir, Craig is starting a theatre company and youth education and outreach program focusing on Trans youth in the arts.
For more information on the upcoming show or the choir, click here.
