A local bakery enhances the character of any town. Sweet Evelyn’s bakery brings charm and irresistible flavor to downtown Perry making the community sweeter one cookie at a time.

Owner Cory Jones is the master behind their delectable baked goods. However,becoming a professional baker and cookie artist was not always his intention.When he discovered his culinary talent, it was a surprise even to him.

Growing up, he enjoyed practicing creativity in other realms. “For as long as I can remember, I’ve always been very artistic and creative,”Cory says. “But it was surprising how much of that related to confectionary art as well.”

He happened upon baking rather unexpectedly. “About six years ago, the cookiecraze hit Houston County when they were having cooking schools,” he remembers. Because the classes were so popular, tickets were hard to comeby. However, Cory managed to secure tickets that changed his life. “I gifted my mom tickets for me and her to go to that cookie class, and I am the one that got hooked.”

At the class, Cory learned the baking process step-by-step.He enjoyed the hands-on experience and the creativity it encouraged. When he went home that night, he decided to take his interest further.

Cory began taking custom cookie orders from family and friends that he would bake and decorate at home. Over time, his following grew and he launched his business, Sweet Evelyn’s.

When it came to officially creating the baking business, Cory knew exactly what he wanted to do. He shares that he was extremely close to his Nana on his mother’s side who passed away in 2014. “I knew as soon as I started baking that if I ever did a business that it would be named after her,” he says easily.

Honoring her in this way was entirely natural. He describes his Nana as a tender, sweet woman who brought comfort to his family, and he hopes his baked goods will bring the same to you and yours.

ext, he created various social media accounts to promote Sweet Evelyn’s. Cory obtained a commercial kitchen in his hometown of Unadilla where heran the business for the first few years. He conducts his bakingat that commercial kitchen to this day.

Before long, Cory’s baking achievements gained national media recognition. The Food Network reached out to him andcast him on the Christmas Cookie Challenge show in 2022.At the time, the show was filmed in Knoxville,Tennessee. While the competition was grueling,Cory enjoyed the challenge and the opportunity it afforded him to showcase his ability to perform well under pressure.

This experience got his foot in the door of televised competitions. “I also served as the onsite alternate for Halloween Cookie Challenge out in L.A.,” he says. For this, Cory was on standby in case any unforeseen events,such as travel changes or falling ill, required a contestant to drop out. While he did not compete in that show, he enjoyed being available in case they needed him.

In 2023, Cory was invited to compete in the fifth season of Holiday Wars. The structure of this show differs from the Christmas Cookie Challenge as it involves more teamwork. Cory explains the setup of the show saying there are nine teams of three with each team member showcasing a specified expertise.

“In the past, [there was] a cake artist, sugar artist, and a general baker. This season the general baker has been replaced with a cookie artist,and that’s where I come in.” Cory moved to Utah for the temporary filming of this competition. He describes the experience as exhilarating.

When asked if he ever anticipated partaking in these televised baking competitions, he replies, “Never.” But while it was not something he actively pursued, he would not change the experience for anything. “The biggest thing that I always tell people is I am not done with TV. I aspire to one day hopefully judge these competitions that I’m competing in now.”

In addition to Sweet Evelyn’s, Cory owned Jones and Company where he offered home décor and gifts.As hisbaking business continued to grow, he decided to merge the two by adding the bakery and rebranding the entire store to Sweet Evelyn’s.The boutique styled store does well along with the bakery.

On opening day in June of 2023, Sweet Evelyn’s sold out by 2pm. “We sell out pretty much every day,” Cory says. “We try to keep it as a sell-out type of run–once we’re sold out, we’re out.”

Cory equates his experience of becoming a business owner to growing up. “There was a time when I was not as dedicated to my business,” he says of the early years. “Everyone still wants to have their fun, but sometimes you just have to put all that aside and just focus.

His current commitment to the brand is paying off. The community celebrates Cory’s accomplishments with every treat they buy from Sweet Evelyn’s. He speaks with gratitude for the comradery of business owners and customers alike.

“We have a lot of repeat customers,” Cory says fondly. “Changing the menu as frequently as we do brings in those repeat customers because we don’t have the same things every single day.” Customers enjoy the variety at Sweet Evelyn’s as every day brings a new surprise.

Community involvement holds a special place in Cory’s heart. He serves as the chairman of the Main Street Advisory Board’s Promotions Committee which exists to promote events in the downtown corridor. He has held that position for a few years and is glad to participate in this way.

While he enjoys serving the community in this way, Cory stresses that he does not seek recognition for his volunteered time. “I never say that doing volunteer work with the community helps my business, because that’s not what it’s about. If I were to close my business tomorrow, I would still volunteer on these committees.”

It is incredibly gratifying offering your time and ideas to help a thriving community continue to blossom. “Perry has been listed as one of the top places to live in Georgia,” Cory shares. “Being a part of that feels good.”

Cory enjoys inspiring the youth by speaking to middle school and high school students in the local area.“I tell them it doesn’t matter where you grow up or where you come from, as long as you know where you’re going.”He hopes to lead by example as someone who has worked hard to pursue his goals and been successful.

The entire team at Sweet Evelyn’s is welcoming and friendly. Cory personally bakes and decorates all the treats,but his team creates a relaxing atmosphere that invites their customers to feel right at home.He mentions that his mom also helps out which he is very thankful for.

Come to Sweet Evelyn’s to see what the buzz is all about. Their delicious cookies will satisfy your every craving and leave you in great anticipation for your next visit.