The Cookie Jar in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, Gets to Stay Open

The nearly 70-year-old Cookie Jar in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, gets to keep its weird parking.

A petition was started by those concerned that Cape Elizabeth's Planning Board might take away the bakery's front parking spaces.

Without them, the Cookie Jar was saying it may have to close! Thousands signed the petition to "Save the Cookie Jar."

Cape Elizabeth's Planning Board unanimously saved the Cookie Jar's parking

According to the Portland Press Herald, the board unanimously approved a new sight for the Cookie Jar in November 2024. It lets them keep the parking spots without officially recognizing them.

This fight sparked the pitchforks to be taken out and support the Cookie Jar to save it!

What's the big deal with the parking spots at the Cookie Jar in Cape Elizabeth, Maine?

If you've been to the Cookie Jar, you know that the 'parking spots' in front of the shop are sort of not parking spots, but still very needed.

So a new plan won't recognize them as parking spots, but also not ban people from parking there. The plan approved also lets people park on the side and behind the building.

That brings the number of spots to 9! That'll help you get your cookie fix.

The Press Herald also reported that a lot of the anger associated with the petition was unfounded. Board Chair Jonathan Sahrbeck said there was a lot of misinformation around the parking and the board was getting personal attacks.

The board never tried to take the parking spots away years ago as was in the petition. He told the Press Herald,

It’s dishonest. We’re working with the Cookie Jar to try to help them get into compliance with the current ordinances.

It appears that cooler heads have prevailed and the important part is that the Cookie Jar remains one of Maine's most iconic places to grab a sweet treat.