Bite into one of Kookie Momster's signature cookies or taste her homemade sourdough bread and you'll know right away that Carletha Ayers Rogers was born to bake. Her talent in the kitchen led Carletha and her husband David to launch a business, Kookie Momster, set to officially open this December at 12138 Bank Street in downtown Exmore.
Currently, Kookie Momster is operating from a mobile kitchen adjacent to the iconic brick building. (And yes, she cooks those delicious goodies on site.) For Carletha and David, establishing a permanent business "home: in Exmore is a milestone in what has been a difficult, challenging journey; one that began with the tragic loss of their baby daughter in 2021.
During a counseling session following that loss, a therapist advised Carletha to do more to continue enjoying life. When she suggested Carletha begin building something to form a legacy, Carletha turned to the kitchen. Working with family recipes, and a few of her own innovations, she started baking. And baking. Cookies. Lots of cookies. She sent cookies to school with her two sons, gave them away freely. One recipient, the local Sherrif for Accomack. enjoyed them so much he urged Carletha to "start a business with these cookies." She did. Beginning with one table to display her products and a chair, she signed up for local farmer's markets. At the first event, she sold out After that, she signed up for other farmer's markets and participated in as many events as possible, becoming a much anticipated regular on the event circuit.
With increased demand, and an expanding base of loyal customers, Carletha sat up a mobile bakery on Chincoteague Island, which she operated for three years. One of her fans, Sharon Brown, the owner of a storefront in Exmore, began encouraging Carletha to move into the Exmore space permanently. Reluctant at first, Carletha and David finally capitulated---after turning down the first three requests.
Now, after customizing the space to fit their business model, Carletha and David----and the Kookie Momster enterprise---are set to open sometime before Christmas 2024. They will be open six days a week, selling breakfast and lunch items, homemade breads, pies, cakes and of course, cookies.
Both Carletha and David, who are natives of Painter, previously had successful careers in criminal justice. David as a police professional, and Carletha as a probation officer. They agree that life is sweeter for both of them and for their sons, now that they are making people happy with desserts and building something meaningful out of a painful experience.
The new home for Kookie Momster is the former Western Union building, built in 1910. According to Carletha, this building has been waiting for her for 114 years. We've been waiting for you too, Carletha. Welcome to Exmore.
12138 Bank Ave: This small red brick building was constructed in 1910 by M.J. Duer & Co. and served as a Western Union location until 1960. It is stop #17 on Exmore's Self-guided Walking Tour.
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