She left her corporate career to focus on her passion for baking
It was a leap of faith for Kate Cofiell.
“I had reached my limit working in insurance and decided it was time to quit and take a chance at turning my side hustle into a better quality of life for my daughter and I,” said Cofiell, owner of Charhause Cookie, a gluten-free micro-bakery and cafe located at 299 Boston Turnpike in Bolton.
The business, opened in 2024 and named after Cofiell’s daughter, Charlotte, began as a bakery that only sold custom French macarons.
“It was a creative outlet and way to save money for Charlotte’s future aspirations whether it be college or opening her own business,” said Cofiell. “A friend from my former career taught me how to make macarons. I became enamored with the process. It’s a true labor of love and requires a lot of time and precision. I love the way they look and how customizable the flavors and colors are.”
Cofiell said her master plan evolved beyond her dreams into a joyful meeting place for the community to connect, relax, and socialize while enjoying pastries, a coffee, a meal, and more.
“I originally planned to have a mobile coffee/macaron operation but when this space became available it seemed like the universe had more in mind for me,” she said. “My mother used to work in this same space when it was Georgina’s years ago – it felt like fate so I went for it.”
The bakery exclusively sources gluten free ingredients and Cofiell takes pride in making as many items as possible in-house. The cafe gets strong reviews online, such as one customer who said, “What a great place! It’s so cute and comfy inside. All staff so friendly. Food and coffee 10 out 10.
Don’t be afraid because it’s gluten free.”
“Our definition of micro bakery is baking in small batches, from scratch, freshly, every day. What my incredibly lead baker, Leigh Dalton, does in the kitchen is magic. You would never know the items are gluten free,” said Cofiell.
The menu includes cinnamon rolls, cupcakes, fudge brownies, jumbo cookies, muffins, and French macarons, all with rotating and seasonal flavors.
Also, she makes oatmeal cream pies and parfait cups. Cofiell noted the baked goods are on a first come, first served basis. In addition, the bakery offers made-to-order breakfast sandwiches and home fries all day.
“Our So-Cal with bacon, egg, avocado, pepper jack cheese, and chipotle aioli is a top seller,” she said.
After 11 a.m. the bakery offers rotating lunch options, including quesadillas, BLT’s, and salads along with a variety of beverages including coffee, tea, seasonal lattes and espresso, hot cocoa, and more.
Cofiell sources locally as much as possible, serving English muffins locally made at Pure Love Bakery in Avon; coffee from Silk City Roastery in Manchester; Harney and Sons teas and bottled beverages, Hosmer Sodas; and Shady Glen ice cream in their affogatos.
Health and food
Cofiell was a home baker, but it wasn’t until she was diagnosed with celiac disease that she saw a lack in the market of dedicated gluten-free spaces and decided to do something about it.
“When you have a true gluten allergy it’s not worth the risk of cross contamination. Dining out can be very challenging. I wanted to create a place for people like myself to be able to enjoy, free from worry,” said Cofiell, a hands-on owner, who also relied on her years of restaurant experience to assemble a team of experienced employees.
“We’re a small team, but I find it works better with a few experienced and dedicated individuals that share my vision.”
The bakery is a safe place for the gluten free community to enjoy all the aspects of a local coffee shop and bakery.
“There’s a misconception that gluten free is ‘healthy.’ We’re gluten-free because there are people that will become sick if they consume gluten and they deserve a cute local spot to hang out, too. We also try to consider other dietary needs, offering some vegan and dairy-free options. We are above all else a bakery – we love sugar and butter, and caffeine,” said Cofiell
She likes to describe the bakery as “your coolest girlfriend’s living room – filled with plants, art, books, and the actual best people. We are all about community and inclusivity. We will learn your name and life story if you come in enough. We strive to make everyone feel welcome and cozy.”
Cofiell supports local businesses not only through food, but also art.
“We feature a number of local artists in our decor, like the incredible murals by Laura Costello Art and art installations by our shop manager, Jodi Griffin. We also have a Micro Market on site, selling handmade goods like jewelry, incense, and other trinkets, as well as houseplants from Evergreen Plant Co., another small business,” said Cofiell.
The bakery also partners with local entrepreneurs to host events, such as Tea Parties, meet-and-greets with nonprofits and community programs, and workshops, such as Patch Day with Revived and Reworked where the vendor sews handmade, upcycled patches onto thrifted clothing made-to-order at the bakery.
For Cofiell, the bakery is all about creating an experience.
“We want our ‘Hausemates,’ as she calls them, to feel like they just visited their bestie – refreshed, recharged, and ready to meet the rest of their day with a positive outlook,” she said.
“Sometimes life feels overwhelming and we would love for people to leave here feeling like there are good, caring people right here in their community. The community has welcomed us so enthusiastically and we strive to contribute positively back to them.”