*Cookie Wear is a product of the city in which it was born.*

by Austin Schott

Michelle “Noodles” Smith has had a creative spirit from birth. When she was a young kid, she gravitated to music, textiles and dancing. Early on, her great-grandmother introduced her to a sewing machine and knitting.

“I loved working with my hands and playing with materials and making quilts – things of that nature,” Noodles said.

When Noodles grew up, after working as a t-shirt designer for different record companies and specialty stores, she decided to open her own shop to advance her creative spirit. Cookie Wear was born, named after her “Pops” and his baking skills.

*Candle developer Latrice McCauley (left), with Noodles (center), and her daughter and Cookie Wear General Manager, Candace Smith (right)*

At first Noodles was unsure what Cookie Wear would sell in addition to her t-shirts. After voicing this concern to her family, Noodles’s daughter (then age 6) looked at her incredulously and insisted Cookie Wear sell the crafts Noodles had been building up over time, most of which were at the time filling up the family living room.

Cookie Wear now sells a wide variety of crafts and kitsch, ranging from Noodles’s signature t-shirts to repurposed furniture designed with photos of celebrities — including Bob Ross, Michael Jackson and David Bowie.

*Noodles with one of her favorite pieces of refurbished, redesigned pieces of luggage.*

Noodles and her daughter Candace also sell everyday essential lifestyle needs like bracelets, coffee mugs and Funko Pops. Cookie Wear also sells iconic DC-based t-shirt designers including For the Culture, Grind Stone and Glass of Water.

*Run-D.M.C., one of Noodles’s favorite Hip Hop groups, features prominently on some of her favorite jackets.*

But in addition to Cookie Wear’s products, they’re also known around the neighborhood for their community-centric atmosphere.

“On Upshur street, we have these cool, organic customers that have just penetrated these doors with nothing but love,” Noodles shared. “They’re very, very positive, wonderful people. I couldn't ask for better.” Sometimes folks come by just to hang out, chat, and sometimes dance, Noodles said.

*Noodles refurbishes vintage luggage, decked out with designs or images that spark her creative spirit.*

The idea for Cookie Wear was, in part, born out of Noodles’s employer from when she was a teen – Commander Salamander. Longtime DC residents will remember Georgetown’s punk outfitter Commander Salamander, while younger residents might have spied the storefront as it was recently recreated for the set of Wonder Woman 1984. Noodles said the visuals and aesthetic of Commander Salamander served as an inspiration for her Petworth store. In fact, one of the owners once mentioned to Noodles that Cookie Wear reminded him of his old store. “It made me feel so goddamn good,” Noodles remembers.

*E.T. watching over Cookie Wear merchandise.*

In addition to community, family is another a core component of Cookie Wear’s genetic makeup. Candace has been working at the store since she was sixteen. During the year, she would come by after school, and in the summer she would open up shop in the mornings and manage the storefront. Eventually, when Candace turned 21, Noodles invited her to come on board as general manager.

*Candace with one of her custom-made skateboards.*

Candace, who grew up skating, started designing her own skateboards in 2012, and now sells her merchandise at the store. The skateboards serve both riders and collectors, with functional design and custom graphics to boot. “If you want a Hello Kitty board, you get a Hello Kitty board. If you want a Led Zepplin board, you get a Led Zepplin board,” Candace said.

Noodles told me that Cookie Wear has grown out of these defining relationships and experiences in her life: her time at Commander Salamander, her relationship with her daughters, and her Pops’ baking, as well as her husband’s support.

Cookie Wear has moved a couple times before settling on its current home on Upshur Street.

Following an electrical fire in 2012, Noodles had to pick up and move from her original location next to the Petworth Metro Station. Over the next few years, Cookie Wear would bounce around the DC metro area, including stints at Union Station and Hyattsville, before returning to its Petworth roots late in 2020. Noodles said she’s happy to be back in Ward 4, sharing that it was harder to create a culture of community or hold storefront events elsewhere, especially in bustling Union Station.

*Following an electrical fire that destroyed the majority of Cookie Wear’s merchandise in 2012, this dress survived. Noodles now preserves the dress as a momento.*

“I am so happy. I missed it. I love Upshur Street. I love Petworth,” she said.

Noodles is holding a beading show on May 28th and 29th where you can pick up any beading supplies needed for your Covid crafting endeavors.

Even if you’re not into beading, there’s definitely something at Cookie Wear that you need or want, even if you didn’t know it existed.

(Ed Note: Drew picked up an awesome 3D light-up Star Trek framed picture featuring Captain Kirk and Spock from Cookie Wear and has it proudly hanging in his office.)

Cookie Wear
810 Upshur Street
Thursday: 10am - 7pm
Friday: 10am - 7pm
Saturday: 10am - 7pm

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