Traditional cookies. 

Ones with icing.

The cookie of the month.

Muffins.

Biscotti.

Even cupcakes.

The name speaks for itself: Ye Ole Sweet Shoppe.

It's been a staple at the corner of West 4th and State streets in downtown Erie for years.

Erie County native Kelly Graham bought the business 19 months ago after working in bakeries for 27 years.

"I came one summer to help them out here and I just fell in love with the place," said Graham. "Back then I was like I wish it was available. And it was a year later that it came up." 

She's added some improvements, such as a a new floor, brighter colors and moving the glass case more front and center to showcase the cakes and other baked goods.

It's a busy kitchen with baking starting at 3 a.m.

Ye Ole Sweet Shoppe has had a presence in downtown Erie for more than 30 years but despite this selection, there has been one item that has been the most popular over time.

"Chocolate chip cookies," said longtime employee Kelly Cass. "Hands down, all the time, everyday. Chocolate chip cookies."

Cass says the recipe has stayed the same. She's worked here for more than a decade. She says orders really ramped up since the start of the pandemic.

"We ship all over the United States - pretty much mostly cookies," says Cass. "A lot of our growth has just come from Erie just supporting its local businesses." 

Ye Ole Sweet Shoppe goods are found in the cafe at AHN Saint Vincent Hospital and at select Country Fair locations.

In turn, the business features other local small businesses like the Lake Erie Candy Company and the Premium Coffee Company. 

Erie native and current California resident Joe Sullivan visited for the first time.

"I was going from west side to east side and I googled 'good coffee'," said Sullivan. 

He's among others that continue to discover the downtown business everyday.

"We wanted to get some snacks before class," said Gannon University student Izzy Latal. "It looked like a cute little place, so we came on in." 

And the hope is that more sweet tooth lovers will enjoy the homemade goods, too.