A Spring Bank Small Business Feature
Determined to make the best of a sudden layoff in real estate marketing, Laura Schafferman pivoted to entrepreneurship. Known for her amazing sweet and salty cracker cookies, Laura decided to start a business selling them, coining the name Legally Addictive Foods. As the brand grew, Laura made deliveries across New York City by bike, Uber, subway, and foot.
Today, Legally Addictive cookies are sold in over 2000 retailers. We are proud to be their banking partner all these years later. As small business owners in New York City, Laura and Seth, cofounders and partners, knew they would eventually need to relocate to expand product lines, operations, and manufacturing. As lifelong New Yorkers, deciding to leave New York was extremely difficult for them. But demand for their delicious cookies increased so much that they outgrew the space where it all started.
“We left New York City because we couldn’t expand our production. We were in the tiniest place, and it’s tough to manufacture in New York City,” Laura tells us. “To find a space that would house the machinery we needed for automation would have been so expensive.”
So, how did they settle in Appalachia – a place 700 miles from home? During an impromptu trip to Asheville, Laura and Seth contacted a local small business owner to learn about the area. They were almost immediately convinced it was the right move and quickly began the relocation process.
By 2022, Legally Addictive officially relocated operations to Asheville to a 7,000-square-foot, much-needed space to scale their products and revenues. They now have a large warehouse and an operating kitchen, making day-to-day production more efficient and less expensive.
“We got really lucky. It was a fairly easy process, and we’ve doubled our output and team since moving our business and all manufacturing to North Carolina,” says Laura.
In true New York fashion, Laura and Seth took a leap into the unknown and made the most of it. With a larger team and space, Legally Addictive has grown to new heights and expanded its partnerships, introducing more flavors and sourcing ingredients from local businesses.
“We collaborate with Spicewalla, a spice company owned by Chef Meherwan Irani, who is of Michelin star tier here. We work with them on several of our flavors, including salted gingerbread and Mexican hot chocolate,” Seth tells us.
We’re deeply inspired by Laura and Seth’s commitment to business growth. While Legally Addictive Foods called New York City home, we were lucky to be their New York banking partner and provide them with a line of credit and PPP loan.
“When we needed a PPP loan, I called a big bank first. They said it would take weeks. So, I called Spring Bank, and within a day, we had everything we needed regarding the application,” reflects Seth. “I had this misimpression that bigger is better, and that’s not true, especially regarding banking. Working with a smaller bank gives you real customer service and a continual education.”
As a community bank in New York, our customers are more than a number. We make ourselves available to help you in times of need and are determined to find the best solutions for you and your business.
“I’ve gotten help from Spring Bank on the phone past five o’clock. They’re the opposite of what we were brought up thinking a bank is. They’re true partners. I’ve tried to send so many people in New York to Spring Bank,” Seth emphasizes.
We’re so glad Laura and Seth could benefit from our personalized customer service and tailored banking solutions while they lived in our service area. Working with them was a no–brainer. Legally Addictive’s potential is crystal clear, and we are enthusiastic about helping the brand sweeten more lives with its amazing cookies.
As Asheville continues to recover from Hurricane Helene, its small businesses need all the support they can get. Though they’re experiencing delays, the Legally Addictive team is still pushing out orders, and they’ve also introduced new festive flavors like “Salted Gingerbread” and “Peppermint Crunch.” Place an order for your loved ones, or satisfy your sweet tooth! Support more Asheville businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene here.
“We want to get the word out that people should return next season. Not everything will be rebuilt, but it won’t look like what it does now. Tourism isn’t the number one industry here, but it’s definitely a big part of the economy, and Asheville is still beautiful,” Seth tells us.
Thank you, Laura and Seth, for sharing your story and being cherished members of our small business community. We’re so proud of Legally Addictive Foods and look forward to all that 2025 will bring for the business and Asheville’s recovery from Hurricane Helene. Learn more about Laura and Seth’s story here.
If you’re searching for Bronx banks that offer a new business bank account, commercial lending, or other small business bank accounts, we can provide the support you need to flourish. Discover our commercial lending options and learn all about our commitment to growing small businesses.