Selma the Magazine January / February 2020 | Page 10

P eggy Williamson has operated her con- signment store, The Clothes Line, since 1982. /// Williamson has been sell- ing clothes to women and children out of her store for over 37 years, but roughly two years ago Williamson started selling something else to increase foot traffic at her shop- cookies. /// What started as a way to get more customers into The Clothes Line became its own separate endeavor. “The cookies have taken on a life of their own,” said Williamson. Cookies have always been a point of pride for Williamson. She has always taken a batch of the handheld treats to friends and family members for weddings, funerals, births and all sorts of occasions. When she began brainstorming ways to increase customers at her store, Williamson knew she wanted to sell her cookies but she wasn’t sure quite how. Soon thereafter, Williamson’s husband, Cecil, told her about the Alabama Cottage Food Law that would allow here to sell her signature cookies and soon, Williamson’s second endeavor was underway. Williamson’s cook- ies will be familiar to any Selmian whose eyes have wandered around at the register at either Mark’s Mart or Mr. Roy’s. The cookies come perfectly wrapped in little plastic bags tied closed by a silver twist tie. Many a customer has likely walked out of Marks Mart or Mr. Roy’s with cookies they didn’t think they’d be buying based solely upon their perfect presentation and proximity to the register. “The cookie is the perfect snack,” said Williamson. “You don’t have to have a plate and fork, you don’t have to sit down and you can just eat it on the go. They’re great.” Williamson can also be seen selling her cookies at the annual Farmapalooza at the Orrville Farmer’s Market and Sturdivant Hall Artisan’s Fair, she also does special orders to satisfy the cookie cravings of entire gatherings. Williamson’s “perfect snacks” come in around 10 varieties. Williamson says there’s a cookie for everyone amongst the assortment of cookies in her recipe arsenal including: chocolate chip, oatmeal, M&M, sugar, snickerdoodle, lemon, sugar and pea- nut blossoms, a peanut butter cookie with a Hershey’s kiss placed perfectly in the middle. In addition to the classic lineup of cookies, Williamson also offers a couple of seasonal favorites like the gingerdoodle, a 10 • SELMA THE MAGAZINE