New vegan and gluten-free cookie concept now open in Southport

Allison Ballard, Wilmington StarNews
Southport Cookies offers vegan and gluten free baked goods at 1102 N Howe St. in the Olde Southport Village Shoppes.
Southport Cookies offers vegan and gluten free baked goods at 1102 N Howe St. in the Olde Southport Village Shoppes.

Joelle Ingram loves baking and did it often before she started a family. She has now raised a daughter and built a career nursing. She picked up her pastime again last year, though.

She made a four-tiered vegan cake and 500 cookies for a niece’s wedding – and wowed the guests. About eight months ago, she started her Southport Cookie business, making treats for Brunswick County businesses like Cafe Koa and Fizzy Jane’s restaurants.

Ingram recently took another new step and opened a storefront at 1102 N. Howe St. in the Olde Southport Village Shoppes behind the Smokehouse restaurant.

“It’s in a historic collection of buildings,” she said. “It’s really cute and there are some other new businesses here, too. We’ll be adding some tables and chairs so people can sit and enjoy."

Joelle Ingram of Southport Cookies recently opened a storefront at 1102 N Howe St. in the Olde Southport Village Shoppes.
Joelle Ingram of Southport Cookies recently opened a storefront at 1102 N Howe St. in the Olde Southport Village Shoppes.

The center, Southport Cookies and another new vendor, Southport Sass Boutique, hosted a grand opening celebration on March 9.

All of Ingram’s cookies are vegan, and some are also gluten-free. She has a few signature flavors, like the gluten-free peanut butter and the S.S. Southport, made with four kinds of chocolate chips, caramel, pretzels and sea salt. To that, she adds some weekly specials, like a vegan carrot cake with cream cheese frosting or a cranberry orange shortbread.

Right now, she usually carries four to six different varieties at a time, but Southport Cookies does sell out of popular cookies. She’s also eager to answer questions – and give out samples.

“It’s been great. We only use high quality ingredients,” she said. “And we try to offer a welcoming experience to everyone.”

The shop is open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday but look for expanded hours soon.

Gluten-free peanut butter cookies are one of the signature selections at Southport Cookies at 1102 N Howe St. in the Olde Southport Village Shoppes.
Gluten-free peanut butter cookies are one of the signature selections at Southport Cookies at 1102 N Howe St. in the Olde Southport Village Shoppes.

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Allison Ballard is the food and dining reporter at the StarNews. You can reach her at aballard@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Southport Cookies offers vegan and gluten free treats in Brunswick County

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