Case-Nic Cookies to close Dec. 31 after 29 years in Medina

Mary Lou Tuohey has used the business to support many causes in community

File photo by Ginny Kropf: Mary Lou Tuohey started Case-Nic Cookies in 1995 and has supported many local fundraisers with the business.

MEDINA – A business that has served up delectable cookies, cakes and baked goods for 29 years will be closing at 439 Main St. in Medina on Dec. 31.

Mary Lou Tuohey, owner of Case-Nic Cookies, made the announcement on Facebook this morning. Within an hour, more than 100 people commented, thanking her for running the business for so long and giving back to many community causes..

“It is with a heavy, but happy heart that I have made a very difficult decision for myself,” Tuohey posted on Facebook and announced her impending retirement. “This has been a very, very difficult decision for me to make, but I think it is time.  Don’t get me wrong….I love my job and what I do, but I have worked for over 50 years of my life and it is time to do something other than work 12-15 hours a day.”

Before opening Case-Nic Cookies, Tuohey worked as a registered nurse.

She named the store after her two children, Casey and Nicole.

“I have been blessed with having a job that I was able to come and go and never missed one of Casey’s school activities or sports games that he played in growing up,” Tuohey said. “I never missed one of Nicole’s school activities while growing up or all of the activities she does now.  I now have 3 grandchildren and don’t want to miss them growing up.”

Nicole was born with Triple X Syndrome and has received tremendous support from The Arc of Orleans County, whoich has merged into a four-county organization, Arc GLOW. That organization has been one of the causes Tuohey has supported for years. (She made over-sized cookies on Saturday for age group winners in a 5K in Elba to benefit Arc GLOW.)

Both of Mary Lou’s parents died of Alzheimer’s, so that also has become a favorite charity. Every year, Nicole makes links out of construction paper and Tuohey sells them in the cookie shop, with all the money going to the Alzheimer’s Association. She typically sells 1,500 to 2,000 links for $1 each.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Mary Lou Tuohey, right, receives the Community Service Award from the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce on Oct. 19, 2023. The award is presented by Tara Thom, owner of the Town and Country Quilt Shop in Albion and a board member for the Chamber of Commerce.

Tuohey has also allowed other groups to use her front store windows for raffles and fundraisers.

“I will miss all of my customers, some of you from day one, February 11, 1995,” she said. “You have been so supportive to a small business and I am truly thankful. I will miss and am so grateful for all my employees over the years who have rolled millions of cookies and frosted millions of cookies. They have stuck by me through thick and thin and I know they have ‘rolled’ their at eyes at me hundreds of times when I asked them to do ‘just one more thing.’”

The Case-Nic Facebook page includes numerous comments, praising her for her many years of community service and running the business.

Diane Stamp: “Thank you for your generosity over the years and your wonderfully delicious cutout cookies! You will be missed, but congratulations on retiring!”

Marlene Hill: “Congratulations you deserve to retire! Thank you for all you have done for us and I hope you have a great time in the next chapter of your life.”

Shawn Ramsey: “An amazing accomplishment to be celebrated!”

Brody Hoffmeister: “Congratulations, Mary Lou. Thank you for your dedication, sacrifices and commitment to serving our community for so many years.”