SAGLE — Thick chunks of chocolate fill almost every inch of Samantha Cuneo's legendary chocolate chip cookies.

The right touch of crispy on the outside and a chewy, melt-in-your-mouth softness on the inside, the cookies found at The Bakehouse, a new walk-up bakery in Sagle, often sell out.

A self-confessed chocolate cookie fan, Cuneo spent years perfecting the recipe and takes care to use only the best ingredients and chef tricks such as brown butter to ensure the cookies are packed with flavor.

It is no surprise that the new Sagle bakery is quickly winning fans with its rotating menus of pastries, breads and meal options. Owned by Samantha and Chris Cuneo, the bakery opened in mid-August.

They hope the bakery becomes part of people's lives, a familiar place where families gather for special treats and favorite bites.

Every item is baked with pride, attention to detail and love. Customers are welcomed with smiles and hospitality. They want customers to know that details matter.

"We believe that some of life's best moments happen around good food and great hospitality," the couple said. "We bake everything with care, using quality ingredients and traditional techniques to create breads, pastries, cookies, cakes, and seasonal treats that feel both comforting and memorable."

The bakery features a walk-up window where customers can select from that day's menu. Each day's offerings are baked fresh, including everything from artisan breads and focaccia to pastries, cinnamon rolls, cookies and brownies and cakes, muffins and scones. Seasonal specialties also make regular appearances, changing throughout the year. Special-order items for holidays, celebrations and special moments also are offered.

Small batches and daily baking ensure top quality and fresh flavors. It also allows Sam Cuneo to try new flavors and treats to complement timeless classics, giving customers a chance to enjoy their favorites while discovering new treats.

"Everything is made in small batches because quality matters more than quantity. We take our time with every recipe and believe guests can taste the care that goes into each loaf of bread, pastry, or cookie," the couple said. "Just as importantly, we want people to feel seen when they come by. We hope every visit feels welcoming, personal, and genuine — not just another transaction, but the beginning of a relationship."

They want to know their customers by name, and want to know their children's names and pets' names as well.

Before moving to the area, the couple worked in the kitchen of a big tech company where they served hundreds, if not thousands, of plates a day. It left little time to get to know those they served or anything about them.

While interesting, it was not what the couple were passionate about, Chris Cuneo said.

"We like talking cookies with people," Sam Cuneo said. "We like talking about weekends with people. We like to know each other. And you know, that's what was missing, I think, in the last few years — that connection with people."

In launching the bakery, the Cuneos knew they wanted the bakery to reflect that philosophy — that good food and great moments are intertwined.

"Whether you're stopping in for a morning pastry, picking up dessert for dinner, or grabbing some fresh bread to share around the table, we hope Bakehouse becomes a place where everyone feels excited to visit and feels like part of our family," the couple said.

Since opening their doors, the couple said the community has embraced their bakery. They are already seeing regulars stop by The Bakehouse, and customers often say they were told by family and friends that the bakery is a must-visit place, the couple said.

A classically trained pastry chef, Sam Cuneo graduated from the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco. She then worked at area restaurants and bakeries where she continued to hone her skills. Chris Cuneo's background is in front of house and managing restaurants.

After moving to North Idaho, the couple wanted to stay true to their roots in the restaurant industry but knew they wanted a more personal connection with their customers. A bakery made sense, they said.

It allows them to connect with others and be a part of a community, the couple said.

The couple decided on the Sagle location because of the people and the area's strong sense of community. Both are special, and they said they wanted their bakery to reflect that.

"We wanted to build more than a bakery," they said. "We wanted to create a place where neighbors become friends, conversations happen, and families associate our products with happy celebrations and family gatherings."

They said they are grateful to be part of a close-knit community, especially one that values local businesses and genuine connections.

They want to build a business that celebrates the community and adds a sweet note to each day, the Cuneos said.

"We hope to be the place families stop on Saturday mornings, where coworkers pick up treats to share, where someone grabs a loaf of bread for dinner, or where a guest comes in just because they know they'll be greeted with a smile," the couple said. "If people think of Bakehouse as 'their bakery,' we'll know we've accomplished something truly special."

Bakehouse Bakery is open Wednesday through Sunday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. The bakery can be found at 15 Sagle Road, can be reached by phone at 986-996-2823 and can be found on Facebook and Instagram.

    The Bakehouse is bringing fresh breads, pastries, cookies and seasonal specialties to Sagle.