Our Story

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. 

One day, they created an ultimate chocolate chip walnut cookie to give them energy while training for a triathlon. They decided to sell a batch in their bakery, and 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.

From the start they baked everything fresh on-site each day and donated the day’s leftovers to charity each night, actions that remain solidly in place almost 25 years later. Levain Bakery now has seven locations with more to come, plus ecommerce gift boxes, and is making its debut in grocery stores in 2020 with the debut of Levain Bakery Frozen Cookies!