About Gretchen
Follow your heart, it knows the way. I have tried to follow mine my whole life. For twenty years, beginning in local theatre including Seattle Children's Theatre and A Contemporary Theatre's A CHRISTMAS CAROL, I passionately pursued my dream of an acting career in Seattle, Chicago and New York. While attending the Goodman School of Drama, I hitched my wagon to Starbucks to pay the bills while working in theatre.
With Starbucks for twenty years(!) I managed stores across the country and spent the last ten years with Seattle's coffee giant at its SODO headquarters as a business and systems process leader in its technology department. I loved how in that role, similar to when I was an actress, I could enhance people's lives and experiences.
I’ve always baked and dreamed for years of owning my own bakery whose mission would be to bring joy to others’ lives through sugar. After my aunt passed away unexpectedly, I wanted to spend more time with my daughters and do what I loved. So, I left my corporate job, renovated my Ballard home's basement into a commercial kitchen and realized that dream – opening grettie’s goodies.
grettie's goodies uses fresh, high quality and, whenever possible, local ingredients. My cookies and cakes are named for my friends and family. The Erin, for my big sister who encouraged me on this journey by recommending I add oatmeal to my chocolate chip cookie. The Mada, named for my older daughter who spent hours searching with me for a perfect chocolate crinkle and inspired the one we now sell. The Ellie, after my younger daughter who requests the peanut butter chocolate chip cookie on a daily basis.
We look forward to bringing you and your family joy as you find those sweet moments of life.
