Ever since Insomnia Cookies opened on UVA's The Corner a few weeks ago, the talk of the town (at least among us college students) has been whether Insomnia Cookies or Campus Cookies are better.
"What? Another cookie place that is exactly like Campus Cookies, right next to it?" was my first thought when I heard about Insomnia Cookies opening only about 100 yards away from Campus Cookies, which has been a UVA staple ever since they had opened years ago. I had originally tried them at the store in Richmond, but the cookies did not make enough of an impression on me to remember much about them.
So, as a self-proclaimed cookie-enthusiast, I spent the past couple weeks with an open mind, trying cookies from both places... and by that, I mean that I tried a LOT of cookies from both of these stores.
Before I jump to conclusions, here's what I discovered over the past few weeks. Insomnia Cookies are about $0.20 more expensive than Campus Cookies, however, they are a little bit larger, which makes the extra cost seem justifiable. Friends have claimed that Insomnia Cookies are gooier, but I personally have not noticed much of a difference. As someone who walks down The Corner every day to and from class, passing by both locations, the only real difference between them is the flavors of cookies.
With regards to the companies, Insomnia Cookies is a much larger company, with locations in almost 30 states. On the other hand, Campus Cookies is more local business, started by a JMU student, with locations only at JMU, UVA, VT, and ECU.
Last March, Insomnia Cookies, the overarching company, tried to buy out Campus Cookies, but Campus Cookies denied the offer. Thus, because of this, Insomnia Cookies started opening locations near existing Campus Cookies. Suspicious, much? Coincidentally, an Insomnia Cookies also opened up in Harrisonburg, near JMU's original Campus Cookies.
However, it turns out that Campus Cookies and Insomnia Cookies buy their cookies (or cookie materials) from the same supplier! So, is there really a difference between the cookies, other than the politics behind the companies? Will this become more than if you want truffle brownie cookies or s'mores cookies, but rather a question of whether or not you support local businesses?
So, I will leave the ultimate decision up to you. As it turns out, the cookies are essentially the same, but maybe there is more to it than the difference in flavors and pricing. Which cookies will you support?
