Lochel’s Bakery Swamped with Orders for Election Cookie Poll in Hatboro, Pennsylvania
Lochel’s Bakery in Hatboro, Pennsylvania, is experiencing a surge in orders for its election cookie poll, where cookies representing candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump serve as a playful indicator of voter preference. The bakery, which began this initiative in 2008, enjoys widespread popularity, even receiving orders from across the country. With the upcoming election, sales have outpaced previous years, fostering a friendly and jovial atmosphere among customers regardless of their political leanings.
Lochel’s Bakery, situated in Hatboro, Pennsylvania, has become a phenomenon in the realm of political engagement through dessert. Known for its election cookie poll, the bakery has offered this unique initiative since the 2008 presidential election, beginning as a lighthearted joke between the owners and their patrons. However, it has steadily gained traction and popularity, resulting in overwhelming demand for its cookies this election season, with orders extending as far as Alaska. The bakery produces round 4-inch sugar cookies, each decorated with either blue and white sprinkles alongside a label for Democrat Kamala Harris for the upcoming election, or red and white sprinkles marked for Republican Donald Trump. Each cookie sold counts as a vote in the informal poll, which has correctly predicted election outcomes in the past, although it missed the mark in 2020 when Trump lost the election to Democrat Joe Biden. According to Kathy Lochel, wife of a third-generation baker, the last election saw an exponential increase in sales, with thousands of cookies purchased by eager customers. “It is just a fun, non-stressful tally that we are conducting. It is definitely not scientific; it is just a delicious method to alleviate the tension surrounding the elections amid numerous advertisements and campaign activities. It is simply a cookie,” Lochel expressed. This year’s sales are reportedly surpassing those of 2020, leading to a backlog of shipped orders, with the bakery ensuring that cookies will arrive by Election Day, November 5. The strategic location of Lochel’s Bakery in a battleground state and the densely populated suburbs of Philadelphia may be contributing factors to its success. Notably, Trump himself publicized the cookie poll on social media, which may have engendered further interest in the cookies as he led the poll dramatically with over 12,500 votes compared to Harris’s less than 900. Despite the charged political atmosphere, the atmosphere in the bakery remains amicable and jovial. Lochel noted, “The customers coming into our store, be they purchasers of red or blue cookies, exhibit friendliness, humor, and engage in the jovial spirit of the occasion.”
The article discusses Lochel’s Bakery in Hatboro, Pennsylvania, which has integrated a cookie polling system to engage customers and measure political preferences during presidential elections. This unique concept is rooted in the bakery’s lighthearted approach to elections, attracting significant public interest and customer participation. Over the years, the cookie poll has demonstrated a perception of predicting election results, capturing the attention of both local and distant customers, particularly leading up to the pivotal 2024 election.
In summary, Lochel’s Bakery has crafted a delightful and engaging way to involve the community in the electoral process through its cookie poll. The significant rise in orders, coupled with the friendly interactions of customers, underscores the bakery’s success in blending politics with community engagement, all while serving a delicious product. As the 2024 Election Day approaches, the bakery’s efforts will undoubtedly continue to draw attention and participation.
Original Source: whyy.org
