Local business is inspired by community support

After shifting its product and service offerings during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, a small business in Logan is starting to transition back.

After 25 years of selling kitchen supplies and hosting cooking classes, the COVID-19 crisis brought much of Lauren Wood’s business to a halt. Wood knew the in-person cooking lessons at Love to Cook would no longer be possible.

"We were super worried about stopping our classes," Wood said. "It was kind of like a staple of ours.”

Since cooking classes were postponed for most of 2020, Wood and her employees established the “quarantine cookie kit” as a new way to satisfy customers. The kit contained 12 sugar cookies and plenty of frosting and decorations and was prepackaged for pickup or delivery by families in Logan.

“I love seeing the innovation, especially in small businesses, and how they have been creative in managing the COVID restrictions while still being open,” said Sadie West, a Love to Cook customer.

From banana bread to sourdough, many locals have been investing in cooking and baking supplies to try new recipes while they’re at home.

“Each week, my kids would pick out a dessert recipe and we would make it together — things you wouldn’t normally make,” West said. “We did cheesecake. We did croissants, and so it's been fun to make it more special.”

Employees at Love to Cook have also noticed customers' desire to try new things.

"It's been awesome," said Anita Watts, an employee of Love to Cook. "People are home, and we're realizing we can learn to cook. It's fun.”

Wood, and her husband Wil, have been able to hold a few socially distanced cooking classes since the beginning of January. They hope to host more lessons once it’s safe to do so.

"I love the community, and we feel so supported here,” Wood said. “All is well.”