by
A line stretched far beyond the door from morning well into the evening Tuesday as people waited to try the hot treats at the soft opening of "Insomnia Cookies" on Anthony Wayne Drive across from the Wayne State University campus.
And what better place to put a late-night, hot cookie shop than on the street level of college apartments where students, stoned or not, often favor late hours and aren't shy about showing their arteries who's boss?
It's the latest entry on a block, just west of Warren, that is growing. Since the pandemic, Leo's Coney Island, 7-Eleven (yes, still home of the "Big Bite"), and Beyond Juicery + Eatery have opened, joining 1000 Degrees Pizza that was already there. Additionally, Uncle Joe's Chicken Fingers and Haraz Coffee House are expected to open soon.
Across the street, some places did not survive the pandemic -- including Starkbucks and Dunkin' Donuts.
Founded in a college dorm room in 2003 at the University of Pennsylvania by student Seth Berkowitz, Insomnia Cookies has more than 200 outlets around the country, with eight in Michigan.
"What makes us so great?", the website asks. "We specialize in delivering warm, delicious cookies right to the doors of individuals and companies alike – What’s not to love?"
The $2 and $3 cookie offerings, fresh out of the oven, include white chocolate macadamia, double chocolate chunk, sugar, Snickerdoodle, peanut butter chip, chocolate peanut butter cup, oatmeal raisin and double chocolate mint. The offerings also include vegan and gluten-free cookies, along with ice cream.
For now, the shop will stay open until midnight, Sunday-Wednesday, and 1 a.m. on Thursday-Saturday. In the fall, with the full return of students, it will stay open until 1 a.m. on certain days and 3 a.m. on others.
Video interview is below gallery:
