Petri’s, located in Silver Creek and which has been closed since 2013, is planning to reopen its cookie manufacturing plant, the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency announced. The company said it plans to introduce 50 new jobs to start. Photo by Natasha Matteliano

SILVER CREEK — Prepare for the warm cookie aroma to once again fill your senses. Petri is coming back to town.

The company coming back to town will introduce 50 new jobs to start and is expected to create about 100 in total after 3-5 years. Chautauqua County’s deputy county executive for economic development and CEO of the CCIDA, Mark Geise, said, “I am very excited that Petri is coming back to town. We’ve been working hard on this and can’t wait to see more jobs being made in Chautauqua County.”

In a press release yesterday, the County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency announced the reincorporation of Petri Baking Products, Inc. “Petri has reincorporated with the intention of recreating their success as the top private label soft cookie manufacturer in the United States,” read the press release. “But this time they are not going to stop with making only cookies. Petri plans to build a successful, stable platform of cookie sales to start with, and then springboard into any and all categories of the snack food aisle. This time when their satisfied retail chain customers ask: “What else can you make for us?” the answer will be: “What else do you want?”

The OBSERVER newspaper shared the press release on Facebook, with lots of excited comments from area residents. “This is such wonderful news in a time and area that really could use some right now,” said Sherrie Depew Ruge.

“Our CCIDA and CREDC staff have been actively initiating and coordinating extensive technical support to Petri Baking Products for many months, along with the identification and processing of economic programs to incentivize the company to locate here. This is great news for Silver Creek and Chautauqua County, and it couldn’t come at a better time.”

Residents even recall their time working at Petri, like David Harrison, who said “I miss working at that place,” and “Jobs coming to Silver Creek, great news,” said Melissa Gallagher Chwojdak. Others raved about their memories of the tasty cookies, including Cheryl Saville who wrote “I loved the peanut butter cookies and the ice molasses cookies! I hope they bring them back.”

Village of Silver Creek Mayor Jeffrey Hornburg said, “The Village of Silver Creek is pleased to join with Petri Baking Products, Inc. to assist in the reopening and repurposing of their former manufacturing plant at 18 Main Street in the Village.” Hornburg continued, “We are excited to be working with the CCIDA, the Chautauqua Region Economic Development Corporation, the New York State Office of Community Renewal, and Anthony Habib of the Petri organization to bring this project to completion.” Hornburg added, “The Petri Baking Company was a mainstay in our community for many years, and it will be a pleasure to see the company return and provide economic stability and employment back within the Village limits.”

A piece of uplifting news is what Chautauqua County needed, according to Francie Carlson. “It’s wonderful to read about news that’s non-COVID, and it’s even better if it’s good news!” Carlson said.