Pam Weekes and Connie McDonald created Levain Bakery in 1995, out of their passions for food, friendship and hard work.
Competitive swimmers and triathletes, Pam and Connie passed their grueling workouts by engaging in passionate conversations about starting their own company and baking, which ultimately inspired them to leave their respective careers in fashion and finance. They opened a small bread shop in 1995, which they named Levain Bakery.
From the beginning, Levain Bakery has been a comfortable and inviting presence in its Upper West Side neighborhood. Pam and Connie would split their days between baking and running the bakery and also training for races. While riding hundreds of miles and starved for extra calories, they developed a recipe for a decadent chocolate chip cookie, reminiscent of the cookies Pam’s mom made when she was a child (incidentally, they also fit perfectly in the back of their bike shirts).
When the two decided to quietly start selling the cookies, they flew off the shelves. An icon was born. The cozy shop on West 74th Street quickly became a neighborhood favorite and a destination for epicurious travelers from around the world, hungry for the world-famous six-ounce cookies.
Nearly 30 years later, Levain is often lauded as the home of the world’s best cookie. A modern heritage brand, Levain has 14 bakery locations and a bustling ecommerce gifting business.
Photo: Melissa Kirschenheiter