AMBOY – When Hayley Rogers graduated from Somonauk High School in 2020, she knew didn’t just want to be an employee at a boring job, she wanted to create.

As soon as she took off her cap and gown, she began a business from home.

“I didn’t start with cookies, actually. Small businesses were in during COVID-19 because everyone was staying home,” Rogers said. “I like to make stuff, I was bored, and I started making candles. I started with candles, then I made chocolate covered strawberries, and from there I started making more and more different things like T-shirts and cozies. 

“Chocolate covered strawberries were my main thing for a year and a half. I added donuts and then donuts and strawberries were my top two items. I make mini cake donuts and I put chocolate on them instead of frosting. I make regular donuts, too.

“I always enjoyed cooking and baking. I took a culinary arts class in high school at the Indian Valley Vocational Center in Sandwich. I wanted something to do, and I enjoy making things, so that’s how my business started.”

Although she didn’t want to do anything else in terms of work besides constructing magic in her kitchen, Rogers welded and assembled at HCC Inc. in Mendota for three years. Every night after work, she would go home and bake with aspirations to open a shop.

She met her boyfriend Renato Rocha at HCC and after he bought a house in Amboy in October 2023, she followed.

In February 2024 she resigned from HCC, began working at Revolution Wellness in downtown Amboy and found the building, 205 E. Main Street, where she will officially be opening The Cookie Jar on from 7 a.m.-noon Saturday, Sept. 21.

“This is the perfect spot for me. I have a good support system. Where I was at before, there really wasn’t anything calling out to me,” Rogers said. “I knew I wanted to do something like this and open a business. Meeting people in Amboy, seeing the opportunity to get the building and actually open the business has been amazing.

“People in Amboy show up for people in Amboy. I’ve posted on Facebook that I’m selling items and people have come to me to purchase. I think opening in Amboy and being here is going to be a perfect fit.”

When she began selling items in 2020, her business name was Haze Customs.

When she went to strawberries and treats, she changed her name to Sugary Sweets.

When she walked into the building in Amboy, she knew she had to change the name again to The Cookie Jar.

“When I decide to open the business in Amboy, I thought Sugary Sweets is kind of scary. I knew I needed a new name,” Rogers said. “The actual building is the size of a cookie jar. It’s tiny and perfect. What better name than The Cookie Jar because the store is the size of a cookie jar.

“And it’s a cute name.”