Fort Collins, Colorado is home to Colorado State University, which brings in students from all over the world. Many have yet to discover the wonderful stores and activities Fort Collins has to offer, giving me the perfect opportunity to interview someone after their first experience at Mary’s Mountain Cookies.
Alissa Lei Walin, transfer student and junior at CSU, was born and raised in Maui, Hawaii. Walin came to Colorado for a different scene and atmosphere than what she was used to back at home. After meeting Alissa, I had asked if she had ever been to Mary’s and she hadn’t! She was the perfect subject for my interview.
Q: “When you’re at home, what are the go-to desserts in your house?”
A: “My mom makes homemade cookies every year during Christmas time so I can see how much time, effort, and love is put into making homemade goods. Over winter break, she made coconut cookies and they are always my favorite!”
Alissa and I grew up with similar family traditions. Back home in Chicago, my mom makes my favorite cookies — chocolate chip — during the holidays or for special occasions. Knowing Alissa’s palette developed while eating homemade goods and savory foods growing up, this made me more excited than before to see what she thought about Mary’s.
One day I convinced her to go into Mary’s on her own to grab some cookies. When she got back, I sat down and hit “record” on my phone.
Q: “So when you walked into Mary’s what was the first thing you noticed?”
A: “The smell! It smelled like melted butter and chocolate. I could smell it before I walked in! I assumed they were baking cookies in the back.”
Q: “What was the first thing you remember seeing when walking into Mary’s?”
A: “The workers’ smiles. Everyone in Mary’s had a positive and welcoming attitude when I walked in. Everyone said hello! They weren’t extremely busy, so I was able to talk to the worker who grabbed my cookies for me. He seemed friendly!”
Q: “And the second thing you saw?”
A: “The 12–15-foot display case full of cookies! I wanted to try every single one!”
Q: “Based on the atmosphere alone, since you haven’t tried the cookies yet, would you go back?”
A: “Of course! They had a few places to sit down and enjoy the cookies. If they have free WIFI, you could catch me studying or people watching while I devour a cookie.”
The atmosphere of a restaurant — or in this case a bakery — is important as it contributes to the experience; however, it is not as important as the food itself.
Q: “How’s the cookie?” Referencing the massive chocolate chip cookie, she just took a bite out of.
A: “It has the perfect balance between the sweet chocolate and the semi-salty dough! Do you think it’ll be better warm?”
She asked before getting up to microwave the cookie. While the cookie was spinning in the microwave, she grabbed a glass and filled it with some cold milk. She pulled her treat out of the microwave, dipped in the cold liquid, and took another bite.
A: “It’s so much better warm!”
As she consumed the last bite of her cookie, I asked her again.
Q: “Would you go back to Mary’s Mountain Cookies in Old Town for cookies again?”
A: “Hell yeah! Without a doubt!”
Mary’s Mountain Cookies in Old Town, Fort Collins has the atmosphere of a coffee shop with welcoming faces and delicious treats for everyone to enjoy.
