By Marisol Joven
In the warm heart of Kearny, New Jersey, a delicious dream has risen one cookie at a time. Imagine Cookies by Maya is a heartfelt invitation into a world where every recipe is baked with love, every flavor holds a story, and every cookie brings a community together.
Maya Leroy, a proud Brazilian businesswoman and long-time Kearny resident, has poured her heart into the art of baking. Her journey began in 2003 as a high school student working the register at Brother’s Bakery. What started as a cashier’s job soon blossomed into something much more meaningful. Maya’s natural talent and joyful spirit did not go unnoticed, and she was invited to help with cookie filling and dripping strawberries which were the first steps toward discovering her true passion.
Over the next few years, Maya’s baking skills grew. At Brothers Bakery, she learned how to craft cakes, pastries, and cookies from scratch. Her talent, dedication, and kind heart earned the trust of her mentors. She soon found herself not just baking, but leading, becoming a manager and primary baker at Allwood Bakery, the second Brother’s Bakery location in Clifton. Clients fell in love with her creations, and Maya became known for her professionalism, creativity, and generous spirit.
Eventually, Maya returned to Brothers Bakery as store manager, a role she cherished deeply until its closure. But when one chapter ended, a new one began. Refusing to let her love for baking fade, Maya obtained her cottage food license and opened Imagine Cookies by Maya. What started in her home kitchen quickly grew through social media and heartfelt recommendations from neighbors and friends.
What makes Maya’s cookies special is not just the top-notch ingredients or thoughtfully balanced sweetness, it is the love she puts into every batch. Each cookie reflects her dedication to quality, a healthy recipe, and a joyful experience. From classic favorites to innovative gourmet flavors, her creations always offer a delightful surprise.
More than baking, Maya loves teaching. Recently, she began hosting cookie decorating classes where community members learn tips and tricks for royal icing, scribing, and creative designs step by step. These classes are open to ages 14 and up and have become spaces for creativity, connection, and family time.
This past year brought an exciting milestone: a collaboration with Curiosity by Nest and owner Jessica Barahona. A longtime friend and fellow believer in community, Jessica invited Maya to join her team. Together, they are expanding Imagine Cookies by Maya in the Curiosity by Nest space, where beginning in March, customers can enjoy Maya’s cookies in the new cookie corner.
But Maya’s vision does not stop there. She dreams of expanding her class offerings, including children’s cookie classes and a Teen Manager Project, where teens lead cookie sales, offer themed ideas, and manage the cookie corner for a week through an application process. It is another beautiful way to bring the community together and empower young creators.
Maya is deeply grateful to her family who helps and inspires her, to the community that supports her, and to Curiosity by Nest for believing in her dream. Imagine Cookies by Maya is not just a business, it is a warm, welcoming space where every cookie celebrates connection, creativity, and heart.