Meet The Owner of Cookies by Diane

Patch wants to get to know the owner of Cookies by Diane, a long-standing cookie shop and a staple in Springfield. Get to know this owner below.

Name: Diane Marinelli

Owner of: Cookies by Diane

Year Established: She opened her shop first in Clifton Heights in 2001, but moved the store to Springfield about six to seven years ago.

Hometown: South Philly.

Current Residence: Springfield

Earlier Stints: Marinelli had pursued a career in nursing and received her bachelor’s degree from Temple University. 

Favorite Cookie to Eat: The "Monaco" cookie. I think of Monaco, France, and Grace Kelly with that cookie. It's a very sophisticated cookie. 

Favorite Cookie to Make: Our signature peanut butter mousse cookie. This batch is just beautiful.

Least Favorite Cookie: The "Julian" cookie. It's a bar cookie with a creamy coconut center with walnuts and raisins. I find that boring because it's just a bar cookie.

Favorite Moments in the Business So Far: Attending the Best of Philly parties and appearing on the Food Network.

What's with the flavor names?

They all kind of tend to have a European connection. Don't ask me why. I just like to associate them with Europe. 

Why did you get into the business?

I always enjoyed baking growing up but my mom discouraged me from getting into that business. She thought it was too "domesticated." So I pursued nursing, but after having my two daughters it was harder and harder to work nights. I always threw elaborate birthday parties for my kids with a dessert table and all. Pretty soon people were asking me for recipes of my cookies and I wasn't sure I wanted to give it away. So I started brainstorming and really started thinking about really doing this.

What do you like best about the job?

I don't get sick of it. It's always a passion. We're always big on innovation here and thinking of new and unique flavors. 

What do you like about the area?

I like the community participation. There's a lot of support from small business owners here. It's a cohesive and extremely helpful community. 

What's next?

Marinelli is looking to spread her wings to birthday party favors for "tweens and tots." She's hoping to distribute her goods to places who host parties for children. And, she'll work with any theme, adds Marinelli.

Plug: 

Marinelli's signature cookie is peanut butter mousse which won Best of Philly from Philadelphia Magazine for Best Cookie in 2009. Take a look at the many accolades Cookies By Diane has received. 

• Best of Philly 2009 for Best Cookie
• Best of Philly 2002 for Gift Baskets
• Best of the Main Line 2004 for Best Cookies
• Best of Delco Reader’s Choice Poll 2004
• Appeared on the Food Network with Al Roker in the “Roker on the Road” segment titled “Cookie Masters” in 2004
• Appeared Live on Channel Six with Steve Levy in “Banishing Boring Breakfasts” in 1998
• Philadelphia Inquirer article in the food section in December 2002
• Delaware County Daily Times article in Local Life Section in September 2002
• Springfield Press news article in Local Life Section March 2002