On Friday, Oct. 9 second grade students from Lincoln Elementary School participated in a special family field trip to the Altadena Cookie Company where they gained a firsthand look at local entrepreneurship, community support and baking operations.

Students from the classes of Nicolas James, Erin Marino and Houry Meguerditchian gathered at the bakery alongside parents and siblings for a guided, behind-the-scenes tour. During the informative visit, the young learners explored the step-by-step process of commercial cookie production.

Adding to the excitement of the afternoon beloved first-grade teacher, retired, Melinda Burkhart, who lives in the neighborhood, made a surprise appearance at the bakery to reunite with former students.

The Altadena Cookie Company is the brainchild of Jessica Christopher and Michelle Taylor who first joined forces in 2020 after meeting in a local parent group. What began as a home-based cottage business selling decorate-your-own cookie kits soon expanded into sales at local farmers markets.

However, the business faced a major setback when the Eaton Fire swept through the area mid-move into their new shop, destroying much of their equipment. Thanks to a successful GoFundMe campaign and strong community backing, Christopher and Taylor rebuilt over the course of 10 months, reopening in late 2025 as one of the first businesses to return to Altadena following the fire.

The field trip offered students a valuable educational experience, demonstrating the mechanics of a small business while celebrating a local success story of recovery and community spirit.

Submitted by Nicolas JAMES