Lexington has welcomed a new addition to its local culinary scene as Leon Buford-Kelly, an associate principal at Leestown Middle School, opened BK’s Cookies & More on October 5. The bakery, located at 365 Longview Plaza, just behind Critchfield Family Market, aims to provide delicious baked goods while educating the community about baking.
Begun as a way to treat students and raise funds for school activities, Buford-Kelly’s cookie journey really ignited during the COVID-19 pandemic in the summer of 2020. As traditional catering opportunities dwindled, he shifted to online sales, eventually expanding to retail outlets like Total Wine and More throughout Kentucky after working from a shared kitchen space at Southland Bagel.
“We’re more than just cookies,” Buford-Kelly emphasizes, noting his product range includes cookie butter, cookie brittle, brownies, ice cream, brownie balls, and cookie cakes. He is known for his creative approach to flavors, offering unique options such as banana pudding ice cream and oatmeal creme pie cookies.
To keep customers coming back, he plans to introduce new flavors weekly. This week, he is featuring cinnamon rolls and cinnamon roll cookies, while another week will showcase Red Velvet cookies and brownies. Successful new flavors will then be added to the shop’s rotating lineup, which is regularly showcased on his website, bkscookies.com.
In addition to selling baked goods, BK’s Cookies & More will offer cookie classes every Wednesday. Participants will learn how to craft Buford-Kelly’s signature cookies from scratch, making a batch to take home. “I teach them how to make the first batch, then they make the second batch, and take everything with them,” he explained.
Despite his entrepreneurial pursuits, Buford-Kelly is committed to remaining in education. “I will stay in education; it’s my first love,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of his role as an educator.
BK’s Cookies & More operates from Friday through Monday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and is closed Tuesday through Thursday. As Lexington’s newest baking destination, it aims to bring both delicious treats and educational opportunities to the community.
