YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Are you considering something decadent, different and delicious for your Valentine this year?
Sav’s Macs has a variety of flavorful macarons for your sweetheart or friends to try.
Chewy meringue-based sandwich cookies filled with buttercreams, ganache or caramel, macarons are more of a treat than a typical cookie.
“It’s something you can indulge in,” said Savannah Berk, the young entrepreneurial creator behind the business.
She noted that macarons shouldn’t be confused with macaroons, which are coconut cookies.
The 25-year-old Berk started Sav’s Macs after more than five years of trial and error and now makes more than 100 dozen per week on average.
“It’s funny because the first macaron I ever had, it was in London. I was 13 years old, and I actually hated it,” Berk said, adding that macarons have a lot of textures including a crunchier outside, chewier inside and a filling. “So there’s a lot going on,” she said.

Berk said her older sister was fixated on macarons and would often order them from overseas and local bakeries. Berk eventually grew to appreciate the texture and variety of macarons.
After joining her sister in an obsession over the treats, Berk decided to take up the next challenge of learning to make the finicky macarons herself at age 17. Not the easiest cookies to make, macarons start with a meringue, and then dry ingredients are folded in.
“It’s all about the right consistency and flow of the batter, and then they get piped,” Berk said. “So the first time I made them, obviously they did not turn out right.”
She started a journal, where she recorded what worked and what didn’t, and through research and trial and error, she eventually learned to create the perfect macaron.
“I think why I like them so much was because I kept failing, and it was something that I knew – I was very determined. … Literally, I have cried over these cookies,” Berk said.
She believes the quality of ingredients makes a huge difference. For instance, she uses Diamond almond flour in the cookies and Belgium chocolates in her fillings.
Once Berk perfected making them, she began attempting new flavors.
She offers a variety of flavors, from standards like chocolate, vanilla and raspberry to specialty seasonal flavors such as pumpkin cream, chocolate covered strawberries and crème brûlée.
In 2023, Berk took the leap and registered her business. Now she makes batches of the treats full time.
“I love what I do,” Berk said. “I eat, sleep and dream about macarons. And sometimes they give me nightmares, but for the most part, all good stuff.”

Three local businesses are regular wholesale customers – Market House Caffe in Howland, Jill’s Mixing Bowl in Hubbard and Juny Café in Austintown. Berk also brings her stand to the Youngstown Flea and other events on weekends and takes orders for events such as weddings, bridal showers and baby showers.
Berk has competed at the Cookie Table and Wedding Expo Event at Eastwood Field, where Mahoning Valley Scrappers fans get a chance to sample cookies from a variety of local bakers. The first year, Berk took first place in the judges’ choice category. The following year, she placed first in the fan favorite category.
Berk encourages other young entrepreneurs in the area to follow their passions and start a business.
“There are people out there who want to help you and want to see you succeed, especially in Youngstown. There are so many resources,” she said.
One of the resources Berk uses is commercial kitchen space in the Common Wealth Kitchen Incubator on Elm Street, which she said allowed her to start her business without the expense of purchasing her own equipment.
She also suggests that new entrepreneurs shouldn’t be afraid to reach out to others for help.
“Just go after your dreams and your passions and give it absolutely everything you’ve got, and the worst thing that’s going to happen is that it doesn’t work out. But you can’t ever say that you didn’t try,” Berk said. “And the best-case scenario is it takes off for you.”
She often finds that if someone tries her macarons she can convert them into fans, even some who have never had one before. And that’s more people than she ever thought.
She has created two macaron sets for people to try or to give for Valentine’s Day. One has flavors such as raspberry, tiramisu, chocolate covered strawberry, brownie batter and crème brûlée. The second set is inspired by candy hearts, with various sayings on them such as “I luv you,” and include flavors like cookies and cream, salted caramel, raspberry, chocolate, vanilla and birthday cake.

Specialty boxes come in six and 12 of the treats.
Sav’s Macs will be at the Youngstown Flea on Feb. 8, with the Valentine’s Day flavors available. Special orders also can be placed by Feb. 7 to get them in time.
Berk is currently revamping her website so Sav’s Macs can be shipped all over the country, but for now orders can be placed by reaching out to her on Instagram, emailing her at savannah@savsmacs.com or calling 330 716 3424.
Pictured at top: Savannah Berk is the young entrepreneur behind Sav’s Macs.