Sugar Daddy Baker fights for survival after village shut down Sea Cliff driveway stand
The Sunday-only cookie stand has been tucked away since the end of August, when Bill Kocis received a letter from the village’s building department stating that village code prohibits his business.
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Bill Kocis became a local sensation known as the "Sugar Daddy Baker" when he launched his Sunday cookie stand from his 14th Avenue driveway last December, but zoning issues have since forced him to close his doors. Daniella Rodriguez has a bittersweet update on News 12.
Kocis first started the stand as a weekend project, drawing praise from patrons who noted that people have been really wonderful, supportive, and full of love—the exact values he built his business on. However, that Sunday-only cookie stand has been tucked away since the end of August, when he received a letter from the village’s building department stating that village code prohibits his business.
The Sea Cliff Zoning Board of Appeals Tuesday agenda states Kocis violated two core village codes: running a business out of a home and mixing commercial use with residential living on the same property. During Tuesday night's meeting, the zoning board raised additional concerns over parking, overcrowding, and accessibility—specifically for first responders—along the street.
From next door neighbors to frequent visitors, many pushed back and voiced strong support for the Sugar Daddy Baker, sharing sentiments like, "It's a lot of fun to be there," "It just completes and fulfills a part of this village," and "We just love the product, the integrity of the product and the person."
The village attorney acknowledged that the board recognizes the widespread community support for the cookie stand but emphasized that the matter goes beyond the zoning board's authority. "That would apply more towards a zoning code, whether the zoning code should or should not be modified to allow uses like this on residential properties," the attorney said. "That issue would be taken up by the legislature, the Board of Trustees."
No decision was made by the board. But for now, the Sugar Daddy Baker has been scooped up by local cafes and small businesses to carry on selling his cookies.
