HATBORO, Pa. (WLVT) — The Lochel’s Bakery presidential cookie poll wrapped up on Tuesday.
It's a tradition that Kathleen Lochel started at her family’s Hatboro bakery in 2008, and it predicted the winner of the last three presidential elections.
In total, over 31,000 cookies bearing Trump’s name were sold, compared to just under 6,000 Biden cookies.
Following coverage from PBS39, the bakery received attention from across the U.S. and around the world. National television programs Fox & Friends and Good Morning America featured the story of the dueling cookies, as well as Vogue magazine.
"I was interviewing with news outlets in Germany, Taiwan, Moscow, Italy, the Philippines. I didn’t know where I was some days," joked Lochel.
Large orders for the cookies started to pour in.
"One order was for 150 cookies for a woman in Nashville, Tennessee," recalled Lochel. "She needed them right before the final debate to give out as little gifts."
Even a member of President Trump's family stopped by.
"Eric Trump was in the area doing a fundraiser in Chalfont and apparently saw that we were on the front page of The Philadelphia Inquirer," said Lochel. "I was literally at home in the bathtub! He showed up here with the Secret Service. As soon as he put it on Twitter, people the next morning were lined up at 3 a.m. on the sidewalk."
To keep customers happy as they waited in line, she added some tunes.
"We had a DJ some days and I was taking tons of photos with people and I don't even know," said Lochel. "The vibe in the town was fantastic."
While she never imagined that this marketing gimmick would gain so much attention, she’s glad it got people interested in her town.
"Whether the cookie poll is right or wrong, you still supported a small business and you helped a community," said Lochel. "People went to eat at local restaurants; one told me they bought furniture next door. They found a small town and they invested in it."
Even if the dueling cookies are not a prognosticator of the presidential race, Lochel says she’ll serve up the treats again in four years.
"I will absolutely do the cookie poll in 2024," said Lochel, "I know my customers enjoy it."
Watch the video version of this PBS39 story in the player below.