South Lake Tahoe Girl Scout sells cookies to the skiing and snowboarding crowd
Submitted by paula on Sat, 02/24/2024 - 1:01pm
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Skiers and riders leaving Heavenly Mountain Resort's California Lodge know the secret already: There will be Girl Scouts selling cookies just a few feet away. Finding a coveted spot to sell the annual treats is a tough in a saturated market, but 10-year-old Maddie Mallein has the perfect spot.
During the winter last year she sold 2,000 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies along Wildwood Avenue. With heavy snow there were often spinouts at the bottom of Ski Run Blvd. and traffic would be backed up, but no fear when Maddie is near - cookies were put on a tobaggon and she delivered to those stuck on the road. Many customers thanked her, and other commented on how smart she was to deliver to them in a unique way.
With a winter that has been lacking heavy snow days, Maddie's mom Astrid wasn't sure how sales would be this year. They sold 300 boxes the first weekend of sales Feb. 16-18, and 150 boxes yesterday, Feb. 23. They are expecting big crowds on the slopes this weekend, and in turn, big sales.
It is a family affair with Maddie, her 5-year-old sister Sophie, her brother Jacques, 7, and their parents Astrid and JJ all helping out with the operation. Their home is now what is called a "cookie cupboard," storing all area scout's cookie orders. Last year, Astrid had a second truckload make a delivery of 150 cases due to the unexpected number of sales.
The family has a cookie selling set-up in front of their home at 1391 Wildwood Avenue. Customers can pull up and the team delivers to the car, or if the sign is out and no girl scouts are out in front during the week, just ring the doorbell. They are officially open 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Friday-Sunday.
"We make it a party - we play music and have the whole family pitching in," said Astrid. "Dad helps with holding our sign, my son and youngest daughter will help with holding signs or running cookies to car, my Girl Scout takes orders and I help make sure she hands out the right change or take credit card payments. It's been a lot of work but so much fun selling cookies."
The cookies are $6 per box and they accept Venmo, cash and credit cards.
"Everyone is so supportive and love the idea," added Astrid. "Lots of Girl Scouts alumni always compliment us for the smart idea and it always takes them back to their selling days!"
Maddie is in Troop 44 which is mixed with Brownies and Juniors, ages 7-11. She will be selling cookies along the road through the end of March when official sales end.