Kansas City’s Black-owned business Sweet Peaches Cobblers is just under three-years-old but throughout the midwest.
And they’re just getting going.
How it Started
Sweet Peaches Cobblers started as a craving during the pandemic with owner Denisha Jones searching for a peach cobbler that tasted like her grandma’s.
When she couldn’t find one in the pandemic’s picked-over grocery stores, Jones tried making her own. With the city in lock down, Jones had time and started making cobblers. She tinkered with ingredients and techniques in search of something that reminded her of her grandmother’s sweet and savory cobblers.
Through trial and error Jones came up with a recipe she liked and served her cobblers to a small group of friends and family. They loved it, and not just in the polite way you’d tell an aunt something isn’t overcooked. Her friends and family posted enthusiastic reviews online and the word quickly spread on social media that she had the best peach cobbler in town.
“It grew like a wildfire from there,” says Jones.
Sweet Peaches started doing pop-up events and taking local catering orders. Starting out it was just Jones’ family taking orders, making deliveries, and cooking up cobblers in a conventional kitchen.
“Working with just family was interesting to say the least, but it was a blessing because they always have my back,” says Jones. “They supported me through all of it.”
Sweet Peaches was a young company wanting to grow but needed a break or two in order to fulfill their ultimate ambitions.
Then Came a G.I.F.T.
Jones needed capital to grow and expand into grocery stores. Packaging, labor, and frozen-food-storage expertise were hurdles they needed to overcome and each of them cost money.
That’s when Jones heard about G.I.F.T. (Generating Income for Tomorrow). a nonprofit program that launched in 2020 to foster economic growth in KC’s disinvested community east of Troost.
On her second try Jones was able to secure a G.I.F.T. grant of $25,000. After receiving the G.I.F.T. grant, Sweet Peaches Cobblers began touring with BBQ competitions growing their reputation nationally.
With some pitch experience under her belt, Jones won a Hyvee pitch competition in fall 2022 which secured space for her pies and cobblers on shelves in the chain’s stores.
How it’s Going
Sweet Peaches Cobblers are now sold in 144 Hyvee stores across the Midwest. Locally they can be found in Hyvee, Price Chopper, and Constinetino’s grocery stores with an agreement with Schnucks in the works.
You can also grab some specialty variations of their desserts at restaurants like The Kansas City Jukehouse, Donutology, Wing Studio, or from the Kiylee Kakes Food Truck. The cobblers and pies are also available for Instacart home delivery.
A full breakdown of where you can find Sweet Peaches Cobblers can be found here: bit.ly/3lP39H1
“We want to continue to spread throughout the Midwest,” says Jones, who also notes they’d love to be a global brand.
Coming Up
Sweet Peaches Cobblers began with just family members working to make cobblers, but now has a staff of a dozen or so. Jones credits her family and the city’s support for the success of the business.
In addition to mouthwatering cobblers, Sweet Peaches Cobblers also offers seasonal peach cobbler cookies, which will debut on Easter in area Hyvee and Price Chopper stores.
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas signed a proclamation making Apr 13, 2023, Sweet Peaches Cobbler Day in KC, coinciding with national peach cobbler day.
To celebrate, Sweet Peaches is holding a Cobbler Day celebration on April 13, from 6 to 9 p.m. at 5930 Troost Ave., KCMO. The event will feature live music from ReZound Band, drinks, and, of course, cobbler.
Tickets can be purchased in advance for $15 or $20 on the day, with a portion of the proceeds going to Harvesters and G.I.F.T. Jones plans to make Cobbler Day an annual tradition and will give out the first annual Sweet Peach Award to Ellie Lilly.
The Cobbler Day celebration will take place on Apr. 13, from 6 to 9 p.m. at 5930 Troost Ave. KCMO. Advance tickets can be purchased here: bit.ly/3zd9RcZ
