Crave Cookies
by Jill Duff-Hoppes
At Crave Cookies of Oviedo, the new general manager is already a very familiar face to the store’s employees and customers. That’s because Jocelyn Grannis, who stepped into the managerial role in May, has been an employee at the gourmet cookie store since owner Cristie Vincent opened the shop in March 2024.
“Jocelyn was one of our first hires; she started off as a baker in our store,” says Cristie, adding that Jocelyn recently graduated from the University of Central Florida with a major in hospitality.
“She’s very professional, very friendly,” says Cristie. “She’s great with the customers and with our employees. We’re so happy to have her – she’s a great fit.”
Jocelyn isn’t the only Crave team member who is a proud Knight. Cristie is also a graduate of UCF, as are her husband and their son and daughter. Several of the store’s other employees are students at UCF, and last year, the Oviedo Crave store created a delicious specialty cookie that honors the school and its history with the space program. Look for the Knights Galaxy cookie to make a welcome return to the menu this fall.
“We love our UCF community, and we love the Oviedo community,” says Cristie. “We’d love to continue to grow within those communities.”
Freshly baked, New York-style cookies aren’t the only scrumptious treats available at Crave. Another popular item is the store’s loaded sodas – soft drinks spiked with flavored syrups, smooth creams, and fresh purees. More recent additions to the menu include the Dubai Chocolate Cookie and the Dubai Chocolate Strawberry Cup.
“The Dubai chocolate trend is a big, big thing,” says Cristie. “And the Dubai Chocolate Strawberry Cup has been a great addition; people love having that option.”
Crave Cookies of Oviedo also offers catering services for special events such as luncheons, weddings, and birthday parties. Guided by Jocelyn’s experience in the hospitality industry, Cristie’s team is planning big things for the future, such as becoming more active with the Oviedo-Winter Springs Regional Chamber of Commerce.
“It’s been such an exciting year,” says Cristie about her first year in business. “We’ve grown a lot. I’d like to become even more involved with events within the Orlando area.”