Mookie’s Treats finds home at Canton Farmers Market

Through their shared love of baking, Grace and Laurie Lesser launched a successful business.

On a recent warm Sunday, a steady stream of customers braved the hot sun to head to the Canton Farmers Market. Cheerful volunteers were on hand to direct car traffic in the high school parking lots and provide information.

Marie Ericson, a volunteer herself and vice president of the Farmers Market’s board of directors, talked about the weekly market’s success: “We’re doing so much better than we ever thought and we’re in our second year!”

Noting that there’s a wait list for vendors, Ericson said, “Vendors love the market. It has a great vibe and it’s well-organized so it’s easier for them.” Echoing Ericson’s enthusiasm, Adam Blunt, Sensational Showers representative, said, “It’s exciting that we’re here at the market — we love it.”

Canton-based vendors Maple & Thyme, Sensational Showers and Mookie’s Pet Treats are all regulars, with Copper City Espresso and Church St. Brewing Co. also making appearances. Laurie Lesser, owner of Mookie’s Pet Treats, said the market has “such a good variety and there’s always something going on.”

Now a seasoned entrepreneur, Lesser knows what she’s talking about — she’s had experience as a vendor at several farmers markets in the area. She and her family have enjoyed selling to the public since starting the business four years ago. They love meeting customers and hearing praise for their product and are happy to take suggestions for future items.

As dog lovers, Lesser said they find that “meeting all the dogs at the market and receiving shared photos of them is so fun.” Their own dog, Mookie, a Lab-Australian cattle dog mix, was a rescue; the family adopted her as a puppy in 2016. Lesser said her husband, Joel, was not initially interested in owning a dog but was convinced after their children, Grace, Matty and Justin, created a PowerPoint presentation.

Mookie quickly became an important member of the family, and Grace, then in eighth grade, baked homemade dog treats for her. A few months later, Grace started selling the treats to raise money for a school trip. Dog-loving friends and acquaintances became such enthusiastic customers that the family grew the project into a business, launching Mookie’s Treats, LLC in March 2018.

The inspiration for Mookie’s Pet Treats

The family’s love of baking and their dog meant the business was a natural fit for them, but there was a learning curve. Lesser, an adjunct communications teacher at Babson and Curry colleges, taught her children about business and invoices. Over time, the family refined the original peanut butter pumpkin recipe to just four ingredients. Son Matty developed the peanut-free sunflower butter pumpkin variety when he noticed that a friend had a family member with a peanut allergy. More recently, tuna treats were added to the line at the suggestion of cat owners. “People are so happy when they see something for cats but dogs love it too,” Lesser noted.

Lesser expressed gratitude for the help given them by multiple people, mostly Canton residents. Neighbors assisted early on by putting flyers in mailboxes. Susan Pulcini and Sue Smith helped with dog and childcare, respectively; others, including Tara Shuman and Hyde Park resident and longtime friend Sharon Sinnott, have offered business guidance. Barking Beauties Pet Salon, Cassie’s Corner, and Copper City Espresso have all welcomed Mookie’s Treats as part of their store offerings.

Mookie’s Treats is now becoming a familiar brand name in Canton. Besides serving as taste-tester, Mookie herself works as an occasional greeter at market booths; she is also a therapy dog and has visited schools and other settings. Grace, who will be a sophomore at Fairfield University this fall, does shopping and product delivery when she can. Matty, a CHS senior, and Justin, an incoming ninth grader, provide assistance as needed, as does Joel, who often helps by rolling dough for Laurie, the principal baker.

Lesser said that the number of repeat customers has increased significantly. Other possible areas of growth include reusable containers and developing new treat varieties. Dog birthday parties may provide further opportunities as the business already receives orders for “goodie bags.”

Lesser bakes about four times each week. After cooling, the treats must be packaged and transported, whether direct delivery to customers or to retail stores or markets. Lesser noted, “It’s lots of baking but it’s such a joy — the business has just been a part of our family.”

For more information or to place an order, go to www.mookiespettreats.com.

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Posted by Candace Paris on Jul 29 2022. Filed under Business. Both comments and pings are currently closed.