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She may not have had the experience, but hard work and determination was definitely needed for this self-taught baker and mother of two. Stephanie Thomacos had no experience in business or in any kitchen before starting her small bakery company, Mama’s Macs & More, in April of 2019.
Since then, she has been going strong with a loyal clientele of customers in the North Central Connecticut area.
Mama’s Macs & More specializes in French macarons with an assortment of flavors including crème brûlée, salted caramel apple, mango Tajin, black forest cake, strawberry marshmallow, cotton candy, birthday cake, lavender lemon, pistachio, and cinnamon roll.
Thomacos rents a space in Ellington, in a licensed gluten-free kitchen. She also does custom orders, wholesale, pop-ups, and farmer market events.
“I’m a creative person,” said Thomacos. “I love makingthings with my hands and I’m constantly working on a new project/art. It’s a part of me. It’s been comforting and satisfying to be able to commit to doing something I set my mind to.”
She went on to say, “Macarons are a really excellent way to be creative because they can be made into an amazing variety of flavors. There’s really no limit there. I’ve even done pickle macs and a few years back, a black chocolate ganache. I’m always surprised with what ends up working out when I experiment.”
Thomacos started Mama’s Macs & More organically. She has always been a baker and when she discovered making macarons, around 2017, people’s interest is what drew Thomacos in.
“I liked the challenge and versatility of macarons, it made them so interesting,” she said. Cottage food was a new law in Connecticut in 2018, so Thomacos began there for a few years baking at home. Her children were babies when she started, and she was a stay-at-home mom. During that time, Thomacos was learning and sharing her macarons with other people. Then in 2019, she made her business official. Thomacos gained popularity at the farmers markets and Mama’s Macs & More grew from there.
Thomacos’ mother, Sandy Knoefel, is her biggest fan. Knoefel has tried many macarons from different places and was never really a fan until she had her daughters. Now, she is hooked and recommends Thomacos to all her friends.
“I could not be [prouder] of her,” said Knoefel. “Stephanie is self-made, hardworking and never gives up despite all her challenges as a single mom. What she brings is a necessity of yummy treats that would otherwise be restricted to many people with allergies and her personality is contagious.”
Knoefel continued, “She is one of the most pleasant, warm, loving young [lady’s] and an amazing mother and daughter … I am blessed to call her my daughter.”
Thomacos’ busy season begins in May. Her main place of sale is the Ellington Farmers Market on 72 Maple St. every Saturday until the end of October.
Market Master Dianne Trueb of the Ellington Farmers Market said, “Mama’s Macs & More has been a vendor since 2020. It’s unique, delicious and consistent. Stephanie Thomacos brings warmth, graciousness and a smile to every market. Her product is so well-loved that a line often forms half an hour before the market even opens.”
She went on to say, “Stephanie is known for creating clever seasonal themes for her macarons, like frogs, ‘Star Wars’ characters and more. Her consistency and creativity make her a beloved part of the Ellington Farmers Market and surrounding community.”
Thomacos hopes to have a good season this year, making sure she’s prepared and consistent.
“I never imagined I would still be running my own business five years later,” Thomacos said. “There was no big end goal. I am very grateful to still be on this path and where it might take me. I’m happy as long as I can keep working for myself, being creative and having time for my kids.”
For more information, or to place a custom order or pre-order, visit shop.castiron.me/mamasmacs. Thomacos generally sells directly to people by what she posts on social media such as holiday boxes, custom orders for birthdays, weddings and farmers market events.
MAMA’S MACS & MORE CAN BE FOUND ON INSTAGRAM AND FACEBOOK.
THOMACOS CAN BE REACHED THROUGH THOSE SOCIAL MEDIA OUTLETS
OR AT MAMASMACS@GMAIL.COM.