Sweet spot: Late night bake shop Insomnia Cookies opens in DeKalb

DeKALB – Carly Burnett stopped by the newest business in DeKalb on Thursday, Jan. 27, for one reason: she wanted a cookie.

Burnett visited Insomnia Cookies, 203 E. Lincoln Highway in DeKalb, for the second day in a row during the national cookie chain’s soft opening last week.

“I really like their Snickerdoodle cookie,” she said. “It’s something different and the cookies are really good. They’re warm and soft. I’ll definitely be stopping by again soon.”

The new Insomnia Cookies location was celebrated with a Grand Opening PJ Party on Saturday, Jan. 29. The chain has 11 shops in Illinois.

The DeKalb store will be open from 11 a.m. to midnight Monday through Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Thursday and Friday, noon to 1 a.m. Saturday and noon to midnight Sunday.

Insomnia Cookies was founded in 2003 by then-college student Seth Berkowitz in his University of Pennsylvania dorm room. The chain, with offices in New York and Philadelphia, now has more than 200 locations, serving deluxe cook­ies, cookie’wiches (ice cream sandwiches), big’wiches (buttercream frosting sandwiches), brownies, cookie cakes, special catering packages, ice cream and cold milk.

Matthew Winfield, who works in new store operations for Insomnia Cookies, said that most locations are on or near a college campus.

“It’s great to be in a college town and near Northern Illinois University,” he said. “College students are our main [demographic]. We’re unique because there are not many other late-night treat locations. There’s burgers and pizza, but not many places provide late-night desserts.”

In addition to ice cream and cold milk, Insomnia Cookies’ menu includes 13 classic cookies, six deluxe cookies, brownies and limited edition cookies. The current limited time-only cookie is a red velvet cookie for Valentine’s Day. The chain also offers multiple vegan cookies, as well as a vegan, gluten-free chocolate chip cookie.

Menu items can be purchased in store or orders can be placed online with in-store pick-up, curbside pick-up and delivery. The business also ships nationwide.

Although not all products contain food allergens, all products are baked or prepared in an environment where eggs, milk, wheat, soy, peanuts and/or tree nuts are present. Insomnia Cookies does not recommend consuming any of their products if you are allergic to those food allergens.

Courtney Cochrane of DeKalb took her 4-year-old niece Caroline Rocchino to the shop as a treat.

“It’s our first time here, and we thought we’d check out the place since it’s new in town,” Cochrane said.

Marc Doty of Sycamore stopped by Insomnia Cookies to purchase a few boxes of cookies: two as thank-you gifts and one for home.

“It’s brand new and I heard they’re really good,” Doty said. “I’ve never had their cookies before. The best thing about cookies is that you can have one and it’s just enough for dessert. I think having them here is a great addition to town and the community.”

For more information about Insomnia Cookies, visit www.insomniacookies.com.