Crave Cookies has opened a Springfield location at 3808 Octavus Via. Franchise owners Josh and Jennifer Ellison announced plans earlier this year to bring the gourmet cookie company to the capital city. A soft opening was held July 31, with a grand opening planned for Saturday, Aug. 3.
“We’ll be giving away 1,500 free chocolate chip cookies so people can come in and get a sample of our awesomeness,” said Jennifer Ellison.
The Ellisons recently wrapped up renovations on a 1,560-square-foot suite in a shopping center next to the south-side Walmart.
The couple both work at Springfield Memorial Hospital and Ellison previous told SBJ, “We wanted to expand our knowledge in a different venue. We’re both in medicine and some days can be very rewarding, but others are quite challenging.”
After investigating various business opportunities, including opening a coffee shop, they settled on Crave Cookies, in part because of the company’s reputation for providing guidance to new franchisees.
Crave Cookies currently has more than two dozen locations in 11 states. The first Illinois store opened earlier this year in the Chicago suburb of Orland Park.
A new menu of five featured cookie flavors is announced each Friday, with the company’s signature chocolate chip cookie always available. Offerings also include 12 signature drinks such as loaded sodas made with flavored syrups, smooth creams, fresh purees and Boba teas.
Ellison said that 10 employees have been hired to staff the Springfield location, and she is hoping to add a couple more. “As our new hires have told their family and friends, a lot of people have reached out,” she said. “Plus, we’re going to be very hands-on at first.”
The Springfield store will be open seven days a week, Monday through Thursday 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 10:30 a.m.-11 p.m. and Sunday 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
