Greentown Magazine 2025

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Sweet Success

BLONDIE’S COOKIES MARKS FOUR DECADES OF FAMILY, FLAVOR & COMMUNITY DEDICATION

Writer / Natalie Platt

orty years ago, in September 1985, Brenda Coffman opened her very first Blondie’s Cookies in Kokomo’s Markland Mall. She was just 21, full of ambition and ready to see if her recipes could stand up in the retail world. At a very young age, Coffman — “Blondie” — loved to bake cookies, and of course, eat them too.

She was born in rural Indiana and grew up on a farm in Galveston. Her father, Birdie, was a schoolteacher, football coach and her superhero. Her mother, Betty, was a loving homemaker who cared deeply for her family. Blondie and her sister, Beverly, always came home to a wonderful meal and many desserts. As soon as Blondie was big enough to help her mother in the kitchen, she learned how to make cookies.

Baking quickly became one of her greatest passions.

Today, Blondie’s has grown into eight retail stores across Indiana as well as five other divisions: mail-order shipping across the United States, fundraising for organizations to sell Blondie’s products to raise money, wholesale options for other businesses to expand their product lines to their customers, 3rd party delivering services such as DoorDash, GrubHub and UberEATS, and a new party room located at their company headquarters in Greentown.

Now living in Kokomo, Coffman raised two children here and is the proud grandmother of four.

“My favorite job that God has given me is being a grandma,” she says.

Her roots in Howard County run deep, and so does her loyalty to the community that helped her build a business from scratch.

This fall brought another milestone — celebrating 40 years of Blondie’s Cookies and a relocation within the Fashion Mall at Keystone. Blondie’s has operated in the mall for 25 years, but the lease required a move to the other side of the property. For Coffman, being asked to stay was validation.

Longevity is not something Coffman takes for granted. Cookie

competitors have popped up in recent years — Insomnia, and others. Some arrived with splashy marketing, then faded as quickly as they came. Coffman says the difference comes down to quality.

“We love competition because it makes our cookies shine brighter,” she says. “We bake from scratch and make 28 to 30 varieties every day. We’re always thinking about our customers and what they want.”

That idea — the three Ps of Blondie’s, as Coffman calls it — guides the business: product quality, people service and presentation of store and staff. Customers can pick from a wide range of gift boxes, trays, cookie cakes and towers. Leftovers are donated nightly to local charities, a practice in place since the beginning.

“It would be cheaper and easier to throw them away, but that doesn’t meet our core values,” Coffman says. “Being part of the community is who we are.”

The community is also at the heart of Blondie’s Greentown headquarters, which now houses the company’s office, a small retail

shop and a 75-seat event center. The building has become a gathering spot, hosting celebrations while preserving the history of the little town where Coffman rooted her operations and proudly gives back.

As the family business continues to evolve, Coffman’s niece manages marketing, the Greentown event space and major divisions like mail order and wholesale. Coffman hopes her own children may one day step into leadership, though both currently have careers of their own. The Coffman children grew up surrounded by the company and understood the weight of a family business.

“Good is not enough,” Coffman says. “That’s our motto. You always have to have goals and strive for the next level.”

Her resilience has carried the business through ups and downs, including moments when Blondie’s nearly closed. She remembers sitting at the kitchen table with her husband, the company’s CFO, as bills piled up. Instead of quitting, they doubled down on their values, expanded into new divisions and pushed forward. A turn on Shark Tank helped boost national awareness, and mail-order sales grew from a trickle into a steady stream.

But for Coffman, the heart of Blondie’s isn’t found in sales charts or store counts. It’s in moments when cookies bring comfort. She recalls being on a plane years ago when she offered a little boy a Blondie’s

cookie. His mother burst into tears. The family had just lost the boy’s twin brother after months of care at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis.

“She said our store across from Riley was the only thing that got her through the last six months,” Coffman says. The memory still chokes her up.

That kind of connection has kept Blondie’s steady while trends come and go. For many in Kokomo, the shop is woven into childhood mall trips and family traditions. Now, a second generation of kids is discovering the same treat.

“Novelty is fun for a first-time visit,” Coffman says. “But we depend on return business, on being there for families day after day.”

Forty years in, Blondie’s Cookies is still about simple things done well — committing to baking cookies that people love.

Blondie’s Cookies has eight Indiana shopping mall locations, including Markland Mall in Kokomo, Keystone Fashion Mall and Castleton Square Mall in Indianapolis, Greenwood Park Mall in Greenwood, College Mall in Bloomington, Glenbrook Square Mall in Fort Wayne, University Park Mall in South Bend, and Greentown. You can find more information at blondiescookies.com.

Q&AWomen in Business Greentown

ANDREA KAISER,

KAISER’S

SWEET HOME REALTY

If your business had a theme song, what would it be?

“The Jordan Davis song called ‘Buy Dirt.’ He talks about the wisdom his grandpa shares, ‘You can’t buy happiness, but you can buy dirt.’ My absolute favorite lines are ‘Yeah, you can buy dirt And thank the good Lord for it ‘Cause He ain’t makin’ any more of it’. That’s such a great reason to buy some real estate with us!”

What radio station plays throughout the office? Or what kind of music is playing?

“There’s usually Christian or Country music playing! I grew up on country and still love it. If it’s not country, then you’ll hear Shine 99.7 or K-love. They are so positive, with great messages!”

What business in the area would you recommend, besides your own, of course? And why?

“Be sure to drop by Kaiser‘s Coffee Shop (Reed and Amanda Kaiser), which is inside another fabulous business called Main Occasions Catering (Grethel Keeney). Remember the Squee Gees (Mason Kaiser, Ethan Hasting) for all your Window Cleaning needs, as well as your outdoor Christmas lighting projects!”

What makes your business unique?

“What makes us unique is that we are a boutique-style real estate company. We customize plans for each client based on their goals while building relationships. We are here for our clients for all stages of life.”

AMANDA CONDON, NORRIS INSURANCE –GREENTOWN

How do you foresee your business changing over the next five years? Both as an industry and your personal business?

“Insurance is a tough business that changes daily so we are continually having to adjust to the changes. From personal lines to commercial lines to life and health we are seeing new products and endorsements all the time, which keeps us on our toes. Changes that I foresee are deductible increases, (the days of a $1,000 deductible on a home will come to a close), that auto insurance will go with the person driving instead of the car,  we are already seeing companies focus on pride of ownership in homes and asking for trees to be trimmed back, debris be picked up in yards and keeping your property updated at renewals, not just when you are first writing the policy.”

How do you plan to grow with technology?

Like do you embrace AI or are you sticking to your guns and keeping the file cabinets and fax machine?

“As our companies continue to grow with technology so do we.  We used to do a lot of things through the mail and fax machine but we now have the options of electronic signature, uploading documents straight to the companies, direct payment, emailing and more. We will always stick to our guns though and continue to have filing cabinets and use the fax machine when needed.  We have a lot of clients that have been with us for many years, and we want them to feel comfortable and some do not trust the new technology that is offered so we are here to help.”

What advice would you give your startup self?

“Give yourself grace, be prepared for changes and don’t hesitate to ask questions or say ‘I am not sure but I will ask someone who does.’”

If your business had a theme song, what would it be?

“I know it is cliché but Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5” because those are our business hours and our work never ends. In all honesty our hours are more than 9 to 5 as we have to be readily available to our clients any time or day, answering questions, turning in claims and much more.”

BRENDA COFFMAN, BLONDIES COOKIES

What’s your most “I have no idea what I’m doing but I’m doing it anyway” moment?

“That would be almost everything that does not have anything to do with cookies or the operations of cookies. For example, designing and building new stores, creating new divisions, new technologies and systems, appearing on T.V. shows, negotiating leases, the list goes on when you span 40 years and are in a growth mode most of the time.”

What’s the one piece of business advice you got that was awful? What was the best?

“I was told to file Bankruptcy, not long after opening our Florida division. If I had taken that advice Blondie’s Cookies would not exist today. That was 12 years ago. Since then, we have opened two new locations and have grown both our shipping and web division 3-10 times the size it was. We also have added a wholesale division, a 3rd party delivery division and purchased a new

headquarters which houses our brand-new event space. This June, we moved and built a Flagship store in Indiana’s premier shopping mall, “The Fashion Mall at Keystone at the Crossing” while doubling the size of our previous location. Blondie’s has won countless awards, was featured on the hit T.V. series “Shark Tank”, and was invited to the Emmy’s. We also provided cookies for the VIP Party for the Super Bowl in Indianapolis as well as being chosen to be a Vendor at the Indianapolis 500, and much more. The best advice came from my family and that no quit voice within me reminding me to stay strong and have faith.”

What charity has your heart? Do you actively give back, and if so, how?

“Any charities that work with the disabled population. At Blondie’s we donate our unsold cookies at the end of the day to local charities in the cities where we have stores. It would be cheaper and easier for us to simply throw them away but that does not meet Blondie’s Cookies families core values. We also make donations to local events, schools, etc. in need of fundraising.”

JENNY COLE, EDWARD JONES

What charity has your heart? Do you actively give back, and if so, how?

“The cause that is most near and dear to my heart is raising funds and awareness for the Domestic Violence Shelter that serves Howard county and it’s surrounding counties. For 10 years, I have been involved in a fundraiser called The Little Black Dress. I have helped plan, organize and run the event. It is the biggest fundraiser for the shelter. Over the past 10 years, we have raised thousands of dollars. In 2017, I started an online campaign to pay off the shelter’s mortgage called #stiveforfive. The concept was, that while everyone may not have thousands of dollars to donate, most could spare $5. It was a success and in no time, the generous community stepped up and the shelter was paid off.”

If your business had a theme song, what would it be?

“My business theme song would be “We

are Family” by Sister Sledge. Over the last 12 years, my clients and I have bonded over so many life events that go so far beyond their finances. We have celebrated together, mourned together, laughed together and cried together. I have attended some of their weddings, birthday parties and, unfortunately, funerals. I have such a deep love for these people, how can I not call them family?”

What advice would you give your startup self?

“As a young woman starting out in a male dominated industry, it was intimidating to say the least. I would tell my startup self to be encouraged, you have a different skill set to offer the people in this community that your male counter parts don’t have. Don’t get me wrong, my male colleagues are amazing! We are just different. I would tell her that she has all the tools, skills, and knowledge to greatly impact the lives of families and business owners in this community. Another piece of advice I would give her, which I received later in my career, is when in a room with my male counter parts (whether in my industry or just in general), take up real estate. Meaning, speak up with confidence and make sure my voice and opinions are heard. You can’t be a part of the decision making if you’re not even seated at the table.”

GRETHEL KEENEY, MAIN OCCASIONS CATERING

What’s your most “I have no idea what I’m doing but I’m doing it anyway” moment?

“One weekend, I booked two big events on the same day. Then, two other people contacted me about “simple and small” orders—which quickly doubled in headcount. On top of that, someone asked for a pickup order for their special day, and I was in charge of preparing the food of a bachelorette party for a very close friend. Before I knew it, I was handling six events in a single day. Yes, I cried in the kitchen more than once — but I pushed through. Honestly, it wouldn’t have been possible without my amazing team. That day tested every part of me, but we made it happen.”

What advice would you give your startup self?

“Enjoy the process — even the moments when you feel like giving up. One day, you’ll look back and realize it was all worth it. I remember when we started the business — how my family and friends supported me. There were nights I went to bed thinking, ‘Maybe I should just get a regular 9-to-5 and stop all this stress.’ But then I’d remember why I started. I love what I do. I’m not just dreaming anymore — I’m living my dream.”

What happens after you retire? Snowbird? Bird Nerd? Or what retirement?

“Definitely travel! It’s one of my greatest passions — visiting new places, trying new foods and learning about different cultures (especially when music is involved). When my husband and I retire, I hope we still have the energy to fully enjoy life. The ocean is one of my favorite places — but I also love the peace and calm of the mountains. Ideally, I’ll be somewhere with both!”

What charity has your heart? Do you actively give back, and if so, how?

“Every day is an opportunity to give. It doesn’t always have to be money — it can be your time, a hug, a prayer, or simply a smile. In this world we live in today, we need more love, compassion, and gratitude. Giving back starts with those small, everyday moments. I try to lead with kindness and stay present for the people around me — because sometimes, that’s what matters most.”

MISTY DAVIDSON, MALYNN’S CONSIGNMENT BOUTIQUE, SUNFLOWER TANNING, GREENTOWN LAUNDRY ROOM, SHAY’S SHEARS AND MAKING MOVES WITH MISTY

What type of music do you play?

“We like to play fun upbeat music that everybody can enjoy.”

Why open your business in Greentown?

“We love our community and love being a part of the growth. I love seeing and talking to everyone that walks through the door. We share deep conversations and lots of laughs. I

have always been a people person so getting to see familiar faces on a regular and continue to meet new faces is wonderful.”

Why Malynn’s Consignment Boutique, Sunflower Tanning (and Shay’s Shears), and Greentown Laundry Room?

“We wanted to bring businesses to our community and surrounding communities that we do not currently have. There has been a need for a laundry room for quite some time. Our tanners love that they do not have to drive to another town to tan. The consignment boutique is a great way to sell your items and find some great deals as well. We are working on growing our Comets spirit wear. The Depot is a one-stop-shop, start some laundry, get your hair did, tan and shop while you are here.”

DIANA MCCARTHY, THE

PERFECT SCOOP

Embracing Uncertainty: My Journey as a Business Owner

“One of my most memorable ‘I have no idea what I’m doing but I’m doing it anyway’ moments is opening our ice cream shop. I have two sons with special needs, and this shop was created for them — to provide a place where they could work and earn their own money. Now in our second year, I find motivation in their resilience, especially during moments when I feel lost or overwhelmed. The first year was filled with both successes and challenges, but I trusted that we were brought to the right place for this venture. Ultimately, we are doing it for our boys.”

Lessons in Advice: The Worst and the Best

“Reflecting on business advice, I’ve received both helpful and misleading guidance. The worst advice I encountered was the suggestion that it is acceptable to leave tasks unfinished because they will still be there tomorrow. In my experience, you cannot afford to procrastinate — you must keep working steadily through your to-do list to achieve your goals. Conversely, the best advice I received was almost identical: you can’t get everything done in a single day. While this is true, the important takeaway is to strive to accomplish as much as possible each day. The unfinished tasks will wait for you, since no one else will complete them.”

Hopes

for Local Business and Community Development

“Looking ahead, I am hopeful for the growth of our town. I would love to see new businesses open in Greentown, such as a hardware store, an auto parts shop, or even an arcade where kids can gather. I also dream of a large park with a splash pad for summer fun. My husband and I recently spent time at a park with friends, and it was wonderful to see all the amenities available for children — the splash pad was especially impressive.”

KAISER COFFEE SHOP

AMANDA KAISER

Did this all turn out how you thought it would or does

everything look different running your business? How?

Owning a coffee shop started as just a dream. I have continued to step through doors that have opened, and my business has continued to morph and grow into something amazing. So far, it has been far greater than anything I every expected.

What was your “I need to quit my job and be my own boss” moment? And did it involve wine or tears (or both)?

This was never about quitting my job. I still have my full-time job of teaching. For me, this was about bringing something I love to my community. I was serving coffee at church and felt like God was telling me everyone there already knew him, and I needed to reach people outside of those walls.

What business in the area would you recommend, besides your own of course. And why?

The Kaiser family is full of entrepreneurs- Call my son Mason and his business partner Ethan at The Sqee Gees for your window washing needs and my sister-in-law, Andrea, at Kaiser Sweet Home Reality if you’re looking to buy or sell property. Also, Main Occasions Catering for an amazing lunch.

What TV boss do you most identify with?

Leslie Knope from Parks and Rec. I have a lot of crazy ideas, and an amazing staff that goes right along with me.

TIMELESS TREASURES

GREENTOWN ANTIQUE MALL OWNER FINDS A SECOND CALLING IN COLLECTIBLES

Writer / Natalie Platt

Antique Mall owner Dave Turner spent 20 years in the U.S. Navy, traveling the world and serving a year in Vietnam from 1965 to 1966. He enlisted in 1961 and retired in 1981. While stationed in Bermuda, a chance discovery set him on the path to his life’s second career.

“On the way back from a transmitter site, I almost tripped over an old bottle,” Turner says. “A fellow sailor told me it was worth $20. I thought maybe a guy could make a little money in this business of selling old pieces.”

That bottle led to years of searching for glass and collectibles. A trip home to Greentown brought him into the local glass museum, where he picked up a book on Greentown glass. Soon after, he found a piece for $10 at a local flea market and learned it was worth $60. That small victory sparked a deeper passion for antiques.

After decades of shows on the road, Turner returned home in 1991. He married his wife in 1996, and together they opened the Greentown Antique Mall in 1999. He has been in the business ever since, with a brief pause after a heart attack before reopening the shop in 2015.

The mall now spans 3,500 square feet and carries a wide range of antiques. Collectors can find Greentown glass, farm toys, pocket knives, advertising tins, dolls, marbles, lamps, coins, and military memorabilia. Turner shares the space with Ralph and Kitty Troyer, who help manage the shop.

a festive atmosphere. Turner says it draws a loyal crowd year after year.

Greentown has been home for Turner since childhood, and the town has embraced the mall as a community hub.

“I’m homegrown. People know me, and they know I’ll treat them right,” he says.

He also offers appraisal services and enjoys connecting with visitors from across the country.

As the holidays approach, the shop hosts a Christmas open house every December, complete with discounts, cider, cookies, and

The antique mall is about people as much as objects. Turner prides himself on offering quality items and genuine conversation.

“Most people who come in here, we kid around and joke with them,” he says. “They come back because it feels like they’ve known you forever.”

When Turner isn’t at his store, you can find him — and have a fun conversation with him — at one of Greentown’s great restaurants.

“It’s probably always going to be a pizza place,” he says. “We have great places to eat here, and that’s my favorite food.”

For Turner, the Navy instilled a work ethic that still drives him.

“I can’t just sit and do nothing,” he says. “This business and community keep me going. It’s a love.”

Greentown Antique Mall has more than 3,600 square feet of antiques and collectibles and is open year-round except for major holidays. The shop is located at 107 W. Main St. and can be reached at 765-627-8310.

GREENTOWN HOMETOWN HEROS

The Sound of Strength

KEYTON ROMERO PUSHES FORWARD AS A PERFORMER AND SINGER-SONGWRITER

Local country singer-songwriter

Keyton Romero has a powerful voice and the ability to play a rousing fiddle. Fans delight in catching her performances around Kokomo in venues such as the Alehouse and the Country Palace, but also at places like the Haynes Apperson Festival and various county fairgrounds. Her love of music inspires her to keep perfecting her craft. However, her career accomplishments are also driven by a dream that was once her mother’s.

Pursuing that path is something Romero feels she was meant to do. No stranger to being on stage, her singing debut was as an angel in a Christmas play at age 5. Romero knew then that she wanted to be a performer, but after her mother, Aimee Romero, tragically died in March 2021, she felt she didn’t have a choice.

“Before I was born, my mom lived in Nashville and was an emerging country artist when she met my dad,” she says. “She had settled there after leaving her teaching

job in Kokomo when she divorced her first husband. Her career was progressing; she recorded with Reba McIntire and Martina McBride, and was well on her way when she had me. Family was everything to her, and she decided to give up her singing career and move back to Kokomo to be close to family.”

“My mom always made us feel protected and told us my dad would never hurt us,” Romero adds. “They were in the process of getting a divorce and he had recently learned that the only contact he could have with me and my siblings were 10-minute phone calls. My mom’s life was taken by my father and then he chose to take his own life. Every day is a different challenge, but I feel it is my duty to finish what she started.”

Although her home base is Kokomo, once a month Romero travels to Nashville and meets with her team, comprised of songwriters and a producer. During her time there she stays with her godparents, Robin and Jimmy Disney. For the past four years she has attended the County Music Association Awards (CMAs) and has a role in prepping the performers backstage. Romero shares that the songwriting sessions are a routine she doesn’t want to break.

“I love writing solo, but I enjoy the collaboration of co-writing more,” she says.

“I get to hear all the ideas in the room, but I also can read the vibe in the room when I present something. I was driving down to Nashville when I got a thought; when parents pass away, you don’t hear your middle name anymore. When I was in trouble, my mom would say, ‘Keyton Grace!’ I took the idea to the session, and we wrote the heck out of it! It’s called ‘Middle Name’ and it’s a kicker.”

Romero is a graduate of Eastern High School, and she grew up doing beauty pageants. She followed in her mother’s footsteps by being crowned Miss Howard County 2021, an honor held by her mother in 1994. From middle school to her junior year, she participated in show choir and musicals, and is grateful for the guidance of Choir Director Karol Evenson. She also appreciates the knowledge she gained from her orchestra teacher, Christian Starnes, who happens to be the bass player in her current band.

As a junior and senior at Eastern, Romero was the first-chair concert master for the violin section. She again held this position as a freshman and sophomore at Anderson University, until she transferred to Indiana University Kokomo. While she was at Anderson she had voice lessons. She also made the jump from playing classical violin to country fiddle.

“Mom made me take violin lessons when I was 8,” she says. “At the time I hated every ounce of it. Now it’s my escape. In the school orchestra we typically played a lot of Beethoven, Mozart, and some contemporary pop music by composers like John Williams. I taught myself to play country fiddle by watching YouTube videos. Once you have classical training, it’s easy to dance around an instrument.”

Romero and her aunt, Abbee Summers, initiated Aimee’s Hope, a foundation that aids individuals involved in domestic violence situations. Each year the organization sponsors the Aimee Romero Memorial Cupcake 5K Run. Funds raised benefit the Aimee’s Hope Foundation Scholarship, and enable much-needed items to be gifted to agencies such as the Howard County domestic violence shelter.

“I use my music as a platform for raising awareness of domestic violence,” Romero says. “I have been a speaker at Arise Mental Health Ministry Conference. People come up to me and talk because they know my story. COVID was a time when people were locked in situations. Now individuals need to know there is help available to get out of an abusive situation.”

In the future, Romero hopes that her work in Nashville will attract attention of a major

record label. In the meantime, she is a cowriter on songs performed by rising stars such as Megan Barker. Romeo’s recorded performances and upcoming schedule can be found on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

Sharing that there is “No joy like singing gospel,” Romero volunteers her time by helping to lead worship at her church. She credits her strong faith and belief in Jesus as the source of her strength in her journey. Her other sources of support stem from her husband and sound man, Dylan Clark, and the presence she feels from her mother when she is writing songs.

“Dylan and I got married March 1, 2024,” she says. “He is my rock, my biggest supporter, my best friend and the love of my life. My mom was the best mom in the whole world. I feel it’s my job to finish her legacy, but it’s not a job; it’s my love. My faith in Jesus pushes me every day. I know with Jesus everything will be alright and everything is possible. Every trip to Nashville is an aha moment. I learn something new and meet the most fabulous people. When I watch people perform at the CMAs, I feel it. I know this is going to be me.”

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