Warm, freshly baked cookies are a comfort college kids have been deprived of for decades. There’s nothing that says “you’re on your own” like the absence of mom’s baking. However, this is no longer an issue for University students in Charlottesville.
Campus Cookies first moved to Charlottesville in 2012 to provide freshly baked cookies and other desserts available for in-store pickup or direct delivery. Campus Cookies had been the sole producer of this unique product until Insomnia Cookies opened Jan. 16.
While no one will complain about the growing supply of sweets near and on Grounds, a new question has arisen — Campus Cookies or Insomnia Cookies? Although both target a similar market, there are notable differences between each corporation in terms of hours, price and final product.
Scott Davidson founded Campus Cookies — a smaller Virginia company — in 2007 while attending James Madison University. First operating only in Harrisonburg, Campus Cookies has since expanded to Blacksburg and Charlottesville with over 60 employees.
On the other hand, Insomnia Cookies is an older and larger company. Seth Berkowitz started Insomnia Cookies in 2003 while attending the University of Pennsylvania and has since established over 65 locations from Oklahoma to Massachusetts.
Beyond company size, other differences come into play when choosing a cookie. Campus Cookies is open and delivers from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday through Tuesday, from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. Wednesday and Thursday and from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Insomnia Cookies is open at 11 a.m. and delivers from noon to 3 a.m. every day of the week, open seven hours longer on average a day than Campus Cookies.
Despite shorter hours, second-year College student Jacob Hardin’s loyalty remains with Campus Cookies.
“I like Campus Cookies because I think that them being around longer has formed this loyal following,” Hardin said. “I think that's awesome.”
In terms of pricing, one Insomnia cookie ranges from $1.45 to $2.95, while one Campus cookie ranges from $1.25 to $2.75. However, Insomnia Cookies offers many deals such as the “The Sugar Rush” — 12 cookies for $15.00 — and “The Sixpack,” which is six cookies for $8.00.
Campus Cookies currently offers 33 different cookies, along with a selection of ice cream, milk and other dessert products. Insomnia Cookies has less of a variety, with only 13 different cookies, along with a selection of ice cream, milk and other dessert products.
One common aspect of both companies is their delivery system — both deliver directly to your door. Campus Cookies has a minimum order cost of $7.00 for delivery, while Insomnia Cookies delivers for any order above $6.00. The extra delivery cost for Campus Cookies is only $1.50, while the extra delivery cost for Insomnia Cookies is $1.99.
Although the delivery costs vary little between the companies, the expected wait time for delivery is substantially different. Campus Cookies estimate cookie delivery to arrive an hour after the order is placed, while Insomnia Cookies estimates their delivery will arrive in almost half that time, between 30 and 40 minutes.
In an order placed at 10:35 p.m., both Campus Cookies and Insomnia Cookies were placed to the test — determining cost, delivery time and cookie quality.
From Campus Cookies, six cookies met the minimum order, costing $9.74 after the delivery fee with a $0.49 tax. The earliest available delivery time was 11:35 p.m., but the cookies arrived three minutes early. The cookies were warm and slightly less baked than Insomnia Cookies, with more gooey centers.
“Campus Cookies are kind of classic,” second-year College student McKenna Malloy said. “Their flavors like snickerdoodle and chocolate chip, compared to the Insomnia normal size cookies, are definitely softer and taste better.”
From Insomnia cookies, five cookies met the minimum order and, after the delivery fee and a $0.38 tax, totaled $9.62. The cookies arrived at 11:08 p.m., only 33 minutes after ordering. The cookies were warm and cooked all the way through, unlike Campus Cookies.
“I would say that Insomnia Cookies are definitely bigger and more flavorful than Campus Cookies,” second-year College student Kay Khosbayar said. “Their flavors are a lot more fun to play around with and their store location is a bit more convenient than Campus Cookies.”
In the end, six Campus Cookies — chosen from a larger variety — were more expensive than five Insomnia Cookies — chosen from a smaller variety.
To some, despite these differences, the choice is almost arbitrary because, overall, the product is virtually the same.
“I like Campus Cookies and Insomnia Cookies just the same,” first-year College student Hunter Wilson said. “I think that any cookie is a cookie and I will take whatever you give me.”
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