March 29, 2021
Local Businesses: Tate’s Bake Shop
Any cookie lover will tell you that nothing beats a thin and crispy variety from Tate’s. The brand is a staple in grocery stores and widely available online today, but its roots are in the Hamptons where it was founded by Kathleen King in 1980 when she was only 21.
King grew up in Southampton on her parents farm and started baking her now signature chocolate chip cookie at the age of 11. A decade later, she rented a space in Southampton and opened her first bakery. Over the years and through endless experimentation, she created a full line of baked goods and won legions of fans for her tasty treats, who lined up down the block to get their fix.
Photo courtesy of Tate's Bake Shop
Most of those initial recipes including the oatmeal raisin, butter crunch and coconut crisp cookies, the blondies, the crumb cake and the pecan pie are still bestsellers today.
Tate’s also has a line of delicious gluten free cookies and bars- the ginger zinger are my favorites.
King is no longer involved in the business which is now owned by snack company Mondelez, but the original Southampton bakery is very much open and as welcoming as ever before. I highlighly encourage all Hamptons visitors to make a trip- you’ll be happy you did.