“Welcome! Enter as guests. Leave as friends.” That’s the cheerful sign that greets customers as they walk through the doors of Copper Creek Cookies, and once you meet Joyce Peek-Schulte—also known as the Cookie Lady—it’s clear the sentiment is sincere.
Located just east of Oldfather on West Ina Road, Copper Creek Cookies may technically be in Marana, but it serves sweet smiles to customers from Oro Valley, Marana, and Tucson. This charming local bakery is more than a shop—it’s a beloved community fixture run by a close-knit family with a passion for baking and connecting with others.
A Journey of Heart, Health, and Cookies
Joyce Peek-Schulte moved from southern Illinois to Arizona in 1993, hoping the warmer climate would benefit her husband’s health. Though the move didn’t bring the improvements they’d hoped for, Joyce eventually returned to Arizona after a few years in North Carolina, settling in Tucson. Her son Clinton and his wife Tami soon followed, and a new chapter began.
Joyce and Tami are not just in-laws—they’re friends. In 2005, Joyce took an interest in making cookie bouquets, and Tami, a talented artist, eagerly joined the project. Joyce baked the cookies, while Tami handled the design, creating stunning arrangements like pink and white daisies, green cacti, chili peppers, and even puppy faces.
From aardvarks to zebras, Tami can design just about anything to match your theme. Their creations quickly caught the attention of locals. As their website proudly says: “We deliver smiles!”
Beyond Bouquets: Growing a Full-Fledged Family Business
Though cookie bouquets were popular, they weren’t enough to sustain a growing business. Clinton joined the operation and introduced his now-famous cinnamon rolls. Still, the family knew they needed to expand further—so they launched catering services and opened an event venue known as TOP (The Other Place), perfect for private parties and catered gatherings.
Their biggest hit? The Logo Cookie—a soft vanilla cookie with vanilla icing, topped with a printed edible logo. These custom cookies quickly became a delicious marketing tool for local businesses, and now thousands are made and sold each year.
The Heart of the Business: Joyce, The Cookie Lady
Joyce Peek-Schulte is the face and spirit of Copper Creek Cookies. With her warm, outgoing nature and tireless energy, it’s no surprise she quickly earned the nickname The Cookie Lady. Selling cookies comes naturally to her—wherever she goes, she makes friends.
“Joyce? Of course!” was the response from a woman asked if she knew the Cookie Lady. That sums up Joyce’s local fame—she’s as well-known for her kindness and charisma as she is for her cookies.
A retired nurse from Illinois, Joyce has found her second calling in retirement. She brings the same compassion and care to her business as she did in her medical career, and the results speak for themselves: Copper Creek Cookies is a thriving family-run bakery that exemplifies the heart of American entrepreneurship.
To learn more or place an order, visit their website at coppercreekcookies.net.