Click Here To Read Part 1 of a Better Than Delicious Morsel...
Like the venerable broadcaster Paul Harvey likes to say..."And now for the rest of the story..."
Today, I picked up the phone to call Stahl's Bakery. By, a stroke of amazing coincidence, the bakery line was busy, so I decided to try the alternate office line. The phone was answered by a gentleman and I inquired about if I could order some cookies. In the course of the conversation, I told him how I had discovered his cookies at Papa Joe's Market and was going to write a blog post about them.
Imagine my surprise to find myself talking to the owner of Stahl's Bakery, Mr. Joe Stabile. Joe Stabile gave me some wonderful insights into the history of the bakery and the famous Belly Button Cookies. Stahl's Bakery originated in Detroit about 78 years ago.
Today, the bakery is located in New Baltimore Michigan which is about 30 miles from Detroit and 7 miles from Mt. Clemens in a building which is 140 years old. The most delightful part of the conversation was when Joe told me about the history of the Belly Button cookies. Apparently, these delicious cookies were 'discovered' somewhat by accident.
As the story goes...a batch of cookies was made which did not turn out well. In fact, the batch turned out so poorly that all the cookies were being thrown out when the boss walked in and asked what was going on. Tasting the cookies, he remarked on how good they were. Everyone had assumed that they were beyond salvaging. No one knew exactly how the 'mistake' had been created, so thus ensued a vigorous search to replicate the error. Finally, they perfected the cookie which is enjoyed by people from all over Michigan and the United States...the best selling Belly Button Cookie!
So, what's the moral of the story? Well, there are probably several, however, the most endearing may be about the nature of our mistakes. Sometimes, we are so overcome by what seems to be a disappointment that we throw the proverbial baby out with the bath water. Imagine what would have happened if the boss hadn't tasted the cookies which had just been tossed out? Today, people across the country would not be enjoying the Famous Belly Button Cookies!
Sometimes, what seems to be a lost cause or a wrong turn can unveil a discovery which opens up a world of new possibilities. Our response determines the nature of a failure. If we choose to learn the lessons afforded by our mistakes, we stand to benefit. If we give up and throw our hands up in frustration, we may risk loosing the insight which is about to bring us to the threshold of a most profitable venture like Stahl's Bakery discovered. So here's to you Stahl's Bakery for many, many more years of baking delicious cookies & thanks for sharing a wonderful life lesson!
images courtesy of Stahl's bakery
Update: I thank Dorthy Stabile of Stahl's Bakery for her corrections regarding the history and current location of Stahl's Bakery 7/2/08.
Copyright 2008 Audu Real Estate All Rights Reserved
Lola Audu, is the Designated Broker & Owner of Audu Real Estate. Our company specializes in helping people buy and sell homes in the greater Grand Rapids, West Michigan area. You can contact us via e-mail @ info@auduhomes.com or by phone at 616-791-0511. Thanks for visiting our blog. Here are links to some of our most popular posts for you to enjoy!
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Good Grief Lola!
Your cookie series is irresistable. Now I have to bake cookies.
I agree with you. The store-bought just doesn't do it. I'm a scratch cook and love to bake.
Very nice to feature a local merchant. I enjoy those articles.
Lenn, judging from the response on the video from Broker Bryant & TLW to your brownies...your baking skills are excellent! :) You continue to surprise and delight us with your talents. Trust me...these cookies are really good. The challenge with shipping according to the owner is getting them to folks in one piece as they tend to be fragile. I assured him that I would love every tidbit. :)
Considering I don't like sweets, I still concur with Lenn. And posts pointing out local small businesses is a wonderful way to promote your area.
Lola,
Don't tell anyone, but the cookie looked so good in your previous post, I actually tried to scratch and sniff it!!! LOL, Thanks, Fran
Thanks Jason. I think the nation needs to know about this local business! :) Their tastebuds will be thankful for the discovery.
Fran...the pictures cannot do this tasty morsel justice...trust me. :)
That's a great story, Lola, and a wonderful piece of Localism. I have to say I have never heard of these cookies, but being the sweet fiend that I am I will definitely check them out.
Jeff
Lola, Your post has made me very hungry!!! And I will confirm that Lenn Harley makes an AWESOME brownie!!! The best I have ever had.
I love the lesson in this post. Our "mistakes' can sometimes be our best work.
OK.....what is a belly button cookie?
Jeff...you'll be glad you did.
Bryant, Honestly, I respect a woman who can write like Lenn and cook & bake as well. That revelation added a whole new measure of well deserved respect in my book! :) How long did it take for you to polish off the brownies? Belly Button Cookes are simply the best...Better than all the rest (Think Tina Turner :)
Your're making me hungary and those cookies sound delicious ! How close to Ann Arbor?
Hi Missy...Do you all have a Papa Joe's in Ann Arbor? There are locations in Auburn Hills & Rocherter Hills. Otherwise, you can order from Stahl's Bakery directly and they will ship. Stahl's is located approximately 30 minutes north of Mt. Clemons MI. Missy, you will LOVE these cookies!
Lola, I was a very good husband and only had 5 brownies. I left the rest for TLW. I'm supposed to be on a diet:) OK, so I'm thinking Tina Turner......cookies with legs? Cookies with attitude? How about....smokin' hot, delicious, chocolate, ageless, packed with energy and would probably give me a heart attack :) How'd I do?
Lola
Things are looking uo
Sincerely
Tom Braata
Broker Bryant...You are a man of tremendous restraint...and imagination. I like the 'cookies with attitude' May I add this tag line...sinless decadence devoid of mortal calories...These buttons simply disappear, they don't allow time for calories to take root. :)
Tom...Good for you! Thanks for comments on both posts.
I'm such a Cookie monster. Where to you keep the extra cookies and do you lock your doors?
Terry, I'm waiting for my next delivery which will hopefully be coming soon. I'm sure that I'll be sharing them too. You & Bonnie would absolutely love these Belly Button Cookies. :) Didn't know you were a Cookie Monster.
Lola, I loved the story....140 years old, that's quite a testimony! And a life lesson as well...mistakes can make you learn some wonderful lessons.
What a yummy subject! Great story! Wish I lived nearby and could enjoy eating some of those. Maybe I should be doing some reviews of places in Lexington that have food I'd like to eat.
Hi Lola,
Thank You for your inspirational insights! If we are looking for treasures, we will find them!