Cookies, Community, and Creativity: A Conversation with Hello Robin
June 1, 2026 - by Mackenzie Ault
From neighborhood cookie deliveries and basement freezers packed with butter to becoming one of Seattle’s most beloved dessert destinations, Hello Robin has built its reputation on creativity, quality, and community. Founded by Robin Wehl Martin and her husband after a passion for baking unexpectedly turned into a thriving business, the shop has become known for its inventive flavors, premium ingredients, and warm neighborhood feel. In this interview, Robin shares the story of how Hello Robin came to be, the inspiration behind fan-favorite cookies, and how staying deeply connected to the community continues to shape every part of the business.
What inspired you to start Hello Robin, and how did you land on cookies as your signature product?
My husband and I always knew we wanted to start some kind of food business because we were both so passionate about food and the experience it creates, even though neither of us came from that industry. At first, we imagined opening something completely different, but when our three kids were little, I started baking constantly during nap times and quickly became obsessed with it, to the point where we had 98 sticks of butter in our basement freezer and 50-pound bags of flour and sugar from Costco because I never wanted to run out of ingredients. What started as a creative outlet turned into something much bigger when friends and neighbors began requesting cookies and I started delivering baked goods around the neighborhood. One of those neighbors was Molly Moon, who eventually encouraged me to open a bakery at 19th and Mercer, which became the first Hello Robin. Cookies became our signature product very naturally through that passion for baking, community support and the joy of sharing something homemade with people.
Hello Robin has become a beloved Seattle brand, what made you want to open a location in Downtown Bellevue?
Downtown Bellevue was always the third location I dreamed of opening after Capitol Hill and University Village because it’s an area that has been part of my life for years, my parents have lived in Bellevue for more than 30 years, so I know the community really well. I’ve always loved Main Street because it feels so intentional and thoughtful, with small businesses that truly care about creating a great experience, and there’s just something really special about the atmosphere there. It also felt natural because we’ve built such strong relationships with neighboring businesses over the years, especially Monsoon and Eric Banh’s restaurants, which have been near all of our locations. When we first opened Hello Robin on Capitol Hill, Monsoon sent us flowers, and that kind of kindness and community support is something you never forget. Opening in Downtown Bellevue felt like the perfect opportunity to become part of another close-knit and welcoming neighborhood.
Can you walk us through your creative process when developing a new cookie flavor?
When developing a new cookie flavor, I draw inspiration from a combination of research, curiosity, and personal taste. Early on, one of my biggest creative tools was a book called The Flavor Bible, which explores flavor pairings and ingredient profiles in a really detailed way. I became completely obsessed with it and would read it like a novel, discovering combinations like herbs with berries or citrus with spice that sparked new ideas. From there, I experiment with what sounds interesting and what I personally would want to eat. I’ve always felt that my palate is pretty approachable and relatable, which helps me create flavors that feel exciting without being too intimidating. Sometimes that leads to more adventurous combinations, like our habanero orange chocolate chip cookie, which evolved from a cayenne chocolate chip recipe I originally made for a friend’s birthday. Other times, it inspires something fresh and seasonal, like a mojito-inspired cookie I’m currently developing with lime, mint, and yuzu.
What about Hello Robin sets it apart from other dessert shops?
What sets Hello Robin apart is the level of care and intention that goes into every aspect of the business, from the ingredients we use to the hands-on involvement my husband and I have every day. We’re very present in our shops, working alongside our staff and staying closely connected to both the product and the customer experience. One thing we’re especially proud of is the quality of our ingredients, we use really premium products, from high-end French chocolate to quality vanilla and flour, and customers can actually see us mixing the dough in-store at both our Capitol Hill and University Village locations. We pay attention to even the smallest details, all the way down to the sprinkles. For example, we recently switched sprinkle suppliers for our birthday cake cookie after learning the previous company had added palm oil to their product. We moved to a women-owned, plant-based sprinkle company because we care deeply about what goes into our cookies. That commitment to quality, transparency, and consistency, combined with an incredible staff, is what we believe truly makes Hello Robin stand out.
What role does community play in your business, and how do you stay connected to your local customers?
Community plays a huge role in Hello Robin and is truly at the heart of what we do. We feel incredibly lucky to be part of such supportive neighborhoods, and we make it a priority to give back in meaningful ways whenever we can. That support takes many forms, from donating to local school fundraisers, like Bellevue High School’s baseball team, to partnering with nearby schools such as Meany Middle School by providing treats and rewards for students. We’re also deeply committed to organizations making a real impact in the community. One organization we strongly support is Rainier Scholars, which helps guide first-generation college students from middle school through college, and on Juneteenth we’ve even donated 100% of our revenue to support their mission. In addition, I serve on the board of Plymouth Housing, an organization dedicated to helping provide permanent supportive housing for neighbors experiencing homelessness. Staying connected to our community isn’t just part of our business model, it’s something we genuinely care about and feel privileged to be involved in every day.
Want to learn more about Hello Robin and explore their latest cookie flavors? Visit hellorobincookies.com.
