Schmackary’s is set to satisfy Long Islanders’ sweet tooth.
After 13 years at their Hell’s Kitchen location, the couple behind Schmackary’s is moving to Long Island. Their Roslyn location at 1044 Willis Ave. opened this past Saturday.
“It was just a hobby that turned into a passion,” said Zachary Schmahl, the owner and founder of Schmackary’s, who started the business out of his apartment 13 years ago. “Before I knew it, I woke up and was like, ‘This is my life now.’ We’re just taking the show on the road.”
He and his husband and business partner Jonny Polizzi are working with Brenda Grayson, their Long Island operating partner, to bring a string of sweet shops across the island. After their Roslyn location, the pair said they hope to open five additional locations with her across the island over the next few years.
“Schmackary’s just felt right,” said Grayson. She said she became connected with the cookie shop while looking for a new business to open after owning an accounting firm.
“They aren’t just about the cookie, which is absolutely delicious,” Grayson said. “They also immerse themselves in their community.”
Schmahl said he has worked to deeply connect with the Broadway theater community in his original location, which is adjacent to Times Square. He and Grayson said the Roslyn location has already been in touch with groups from the Herricks School District and hopes to work closely with them and some local Little League teams.
Schmahl said he has developed over 100 flavors at Schmackary’s so far. Customers have 12 rotating flavors to choose from every day, he said. Some are seasonal like strawberry rhubarb, mojito and “Red White and Blueberry” for summer, and some are classic like chocolate chip and lemon poppy. The store also has a slew of vegan and gluten-free cookies, Schmahl said, ensuring all can enjoy his treats.
Schmahl said he started the business out of a love for baking, which was inspired by his mother.
“I used to bake with my mom. She’s the one who taught me how to bake,” Schmahl said. “When I first started the shop, my mom was my first hire, and we were working in the kitchen together. That was a lot of fun.”
Customers looking to try the new dessert spot will be able to choose from a range of cookie-based items and drinks made from For Five Coffee, a popular brand on the island. Cookie-based ice cream sandwiches and cookie-infused ice cream, which can be made from any flavor of cookie, start at $7.50, and milkshakes are sold for $6.75.
Cookies are sold at $3.75 for one, two for $7, six for $20 and 12 for $35, while brownies, bars and Krispy treats are offered at $4.25 each. Schmackary’s also offers cookie cakes made from its famous flavors starting at $35.
“We’ve always tried to lean into high-quality ingredients. We also want to give our customers value, so they don’t feel like our product is overpriced,” Schmahl said. “We really have fought hard at keeping our prices as low as possible.”
Schmahl said he decided to start expanding and franchising the business around 2 1/2 years ago. So far, there’s a location in Union Square, Englewood, N.J. and an upcoming spot in San Diego, Calif. He said he plans to open a handful of additional shops across Manhattan and Brooklyn, where the couple currently lives.
Across all locations, all desserts are always homemade.
“We make everything. Cookies are being baked every hour,” Schmahl said. “When you come in, we have an abundance of stuff on the counter at all times.”
Roslyn’s Schmackary’s will be serving up their sweets from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day of the week.
