Delicious cookies and specialty coffee? That’s the program Caroline has in store for you at Bloop, the boutique and café she opened last November right in the heart of Arlon. A sweet and inspiring meeting.
Founded by a lover of sweet treats
This former notary’s clerk changed her career path after several years in notary work. “I was getting bored, and I’ve always loved baking cookies, brownies, and other pastries” she admits, quite simply. Caroline started by creating her Instagram account and selling some of her baked goods. “I used to bake in my parents’ kitchen, and customers would come pick them up at my place” she tells us. It was through her first customers that she realized her passion was really in developing cookie recipes above all else, which led to the launch of her e-shop featuring several different soft cookie recipes. Slowly her Bloop Cookies began to be appreciated by cafés, who became resellers. “One of my first resellers was Jolt in Esch Belval, and it’s thanks to them and their support that the Bloop coffee shop came to life!”
About finding the perfect location
Opening her own café was something the young entrepreneur had been thinking about, though she hadn’t planned to do it so soon. “I was urgently looking for a space to bake because my kitchen was becoming too small.” But when she visited the location where she is now, the idea of a shop and a coffee place instantly took hold. “From the moment I walked in, I could see the great potential, especially with the large bay window overlooking the street.” And Caroline decided to go for it! Another obvious choice for her was using the specialty coffee of Jolt. “The whole team supported me in this adventure. I took a barista training with them, and they were a huge help for me, starting out on my own” she shares gratefully. Caroline wasn’t entirely on her own, though””she could count on the support of her family and in-laws, especially her mom, who helps in the kitchen and with serving.
Generous vegan cookies
At Bloop, Caroline has managed to create a warm, friendly atmosphere, beautifully represented by a little round character, Bloop’s mascot. Inside, there’s a terracotta-colored counter, terrazzo tables, and round sofas for comfy seating. The walls are decorated with colorful posters featuring funny mantras, adding to the cosy vibe.
But once inside, it’s time to choose which cookie to try. A tough decision. Caroline wanted to develop only vegan recipes, carefully sourcing her ingredients. “I use a plant-based fat, with no palm oil” she specifies. Her cookies are soft inside and crunchy on the outside with generous ingredients. “I always offer a choice of 9 cookies, 8 classics that stay the same and one cookie of the month.” This monthly cookie is eagerly awaited by her loyal customers. Among the classics, there’s the “New York cookie”, referencing the famous Levain Bakery cookie from NYC, with dark chocolate chunks and pecans. There’s also the nocciolata, the choco-pecan, the white chocolate matcha, and of course, the speculoos cookie, a nod to Belgian tradition. The cookies are baked everyday by Caroline, and can be stored during 4 to 5 days in an airtight container.
Open on Sundays
Since November, the people of Arlon have shown up in droves, and the small shop is always busy. Especially on Sundays, when customers can come enjoy a great coffee along with a cookie. “There’s not much open on Sundays in Arlon, so it was essential for me to offer this day of opening to my customers.” Caroline is considering possibly adding a few other pastry options to give her customers more choices. “But I want to keep the cookies as my specialty and signature” she says.
With such a great recipe, it would definitely be a shame to visit Bloop and miss out on these delicious treats. A coffee and a cookie? A definite yes! But the real question is, which one to choose?