Lochel’s Bakery in Hatboro: A Sweet Polling Tradition
Lochel’s Bakery in Hatboro, Pennsylvania, has seen a massive uptick in orders for its election-themed cookies as part of a lighthearted polling tradition started in 2008. This year, they are surpassing previous sales records, with cookies symbolizing support for presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. While business booms amid friendly customer interactions, the bakery assures that all orders will reach customers by Election Day, furthering the fun of participating in a mock polling process.
Lochel’s Bakery, located in Hatboro, Pennsylvania, has garnered significant attention this election season owing to its unique cookie poll, a humorous tradition that began in the 2008 presidential campaign. This bakery is experiencing an unprecedented surge in orders, as customers travel from considerable distances to purchase their specialty cookies, with shipments reaching as far as Alaska. Each cookie, decorated with either blue and white sprinkles and labeled for Democrat Kamala Harris or red and white sprinkles and tagged for Republican Donald Trump, serves as a vote in the bakery’s informal election poll. The cookie poll originally started as a jest but evolved into a notable local event, accurately predicting the election outcomes for its first three iterations, although it faltered in 2020, when Trump lost to Democrat Joe Biden. Kathy Lochel, a leader at the bakery and spouse of a third-generation baker, reports a remarkable increase in cookie sales this year, outstripping those of 2020. “It is just a fun, non-stressful tally that we’re taking,” Lochel explained, emphasizing the lighthearted nature of the initiative. Additionally, she noted, “I can’t emphasize that more. It’s just a cookie.” Customers such as Helene Moran have also joined in, ordering Trump cookies as a part of their birthday celebrations, underlining the familial and communal spirit surrounding the cookie poll. The bakery has been dealing with overwhelming demand, facing delays in shipments but assuring customers that orders would arrive by Election Day on November 5. The location of Lochel’s Bakery in Pennsylvania, a key battleground state for the elections, adds to its prominence. Notably, Trump’s mention of the cookie poll on his social media platform appears to have fueled interest, as reported numbers show him leading Harris significantly in cookie votes—12,558 to 889—a contrast to traditional polling data. The atmosphere at the bakery has remained amicable, with customers displaying kindness towards one another regardless of their political preferences. Lochel noted, “The people that are coming into our store, whether they’re buying red or blue cookies, they’re friendly, they joke, they laugh, they buy other things.”
The article centers on Lochel’s Bakery, which has become a local phenomenon due to its cookie polling tradition started during the 2008 presidential elections. The cookie poll engages the community in a lighthearted commentary on political preferences through the sale of decorated cookies that represent different candidates. This initiative has grown significantly over the years, especially during election cycles, attracting attention from both local and distant customers.
In conclusion, Lochel’s Bakery in Hatboro has transformed a playful tradition into a festive and community-oriented event amid the electoral fervor, proving that politics can bring people together, albeit around cookie sales. The bakery’s ability to attract patrons and ship cookies across the nation highlights the intersection of food, culture, and community engagement during an election season, promising a delightful and non-partisan way to participate in the democratic process.
Original Source: whyy.org
