At a recent meeting of the Xemplar Club, members had the opportunity to hear from Mary and Derek O’Connor, the founders of Chocolate Chipped Bakery—a growing local business with deep roots in the Farmington community.

Established in 2017, Chocolate Chipped Bakery began as a passion project driven by Mary’s long-standing love for baking. Her goal was to create the ideal chocolate chip cookie: one large enough to be satisfying on its own, soft and dough-like on the inside, slightly crisp on the outside, and generously filled with chocolate chips in every bite.

The bakery’s early growth was closely tied to the Farmington Farmers Market, where Mary and Derek were consistent vendors. Their cookies sold out at every market appearance, quickly earning them a loyal following and validating the potential of their business concept. These early successes laid the foundation for their expansion into a commercial kitchen and, eventually, a brick-and-mortar storefront in downtown Farmington in 2024.

During their visit, the O’Connors shared their story with club members and brought along samples of their signature cookies, showcasing the product that helped launch their entrepreneurial journey.

Chocolate Chipped Bakery is a strong example of local business development grounded in quality, persistence, and community engagement—values that align closely with the mission of the Xemplar Club.