By Rick Wright

Staff Writer

It seems only fitting that the Cookie Jar Pastry Shop is near the starting point for the Cape Elizabeth Family Fun Day parade Saturday.

On that same day, the Cape Elizabeth bakery will begin a new era in its’ history: After being closed for four years, it will celebrate its reopening.

“I (scheduled the reopening) in conjunction with the Cape Family Fun Day. I just thought it would be nice to bring everyone out to celebrate,” said co-owner Donna Piscopo.  

The bakery closed in fall 2006 after a storm ripped  off its roof. It took four years to reopen the business because it was underinsured and the Piscopos had difficulty finding a lender to finance renovations.

The building was remodeled this spring by Great Falls Construction Co. of Gorham.  

She and her husband, Tom Piscopo, of South Portland bought the business from Tom’s parents in 1981.

The store had a soft reopening May 27 and business has been brisk since then, said Donna Piscopo.  Located at 554 Shore Road, the Cookie Jar has been a fixture In the Cape Cottage neighborhood since the 1960s.

The bakery has been overwhelmed by more than 5,000 customers since the unofficial reopening last month, , Donna Piscopo said. The response has been so great, the Piscopos hired seven more people to keep up with demand for its baked goods.

“We can’t believe how the community has welcomed us back. We’re just so happy,” Donna Piscopo said. “It’s off the chart. There are lines out the door.”

Donna Piscopo said people are waiting outside the bakery before it opens in the morning and still coming through the door after closing time.

David Gushee of South Portland sat inside the Cookie Jar Sunday enjoying a chocolate chip cookie and cup of coffee. 

Gushee said he was happy to see the bakery return to the area. 

“It’s an old favorite,” Gushee said. “Everything’s very good.”

South Portland resident Ted Mcclellan is a long-time customer of the Cookie Jar. After picking up his order Sunday, Mcclellan said, “I’m glad to see that they’ve reopened again. I like the date-filled cookies and I try new things as well. They will be a great addition to the neighborhood.”

The Cookie Jar has 19 employees including 12 full-time staff members. The staff is comprised of eight bakers and 11 sales clerks.

The store is open Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Donna Piscopo is working 18-hour days but said she doesn’t mind. 

“I’m just so glad to be back. I don’t care how many hours I work. It’s just like heaven to be back,” she said.

 the Cookie Jar will provide free samples throughout the day to celebrate the reopening Saturday. Customers will also be able to enter a drawing to win a birthday cake every year for life.

Rick Wright can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 237 or news@inthesentry.com.