By Kady Cramer
Launching with a soft opening on Labor Day, Cookie Co. on 13123 State Line Rd. celebrated its grand opening on September 9 with free cookies and twisted sodas. It is the first Missouri location, snuggled between Starbucks and American Shaman at the South Market Shopping Center.
Cookie Co. was founded in 2020 during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic by Elise and Matt Thomas in the heart of Redlands, California. Cookie Co. bakes gourmet cookies using real eggs, real butter & real cane sugar. Each week, stores feature six different cookie flavors, including their popular chocolate chip. In just three years, the franchise has opened 23 stores nationwide, meeting their mission of being the ‘local cookie shop on the corner’.
Former Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman and Cookie Co. co-owner Jordan Devey has opened three locations just this year with his wife Linsey and partners Mike and Keri Priest. They include locations in Lenexa and Overland Park.
Founder Matt Thomas introduced Devey to partners Mike and Keri, who had Cookie Co. franchises in Arizona and roots in Kansas City. Thomas thought it would be a perfect fit for the Deveys, whose love for the Kansas City area had them looking to open a franchise here themselves.
Born in Utah, Devey has played for several NFL teams, including the Patriots, the 49ers and the Bills. Devey played for the Chiefs from 2016 to 2018 alongside players Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes.
So how does being an athlete mix with eating sweets?
“Everyone [in the league] had their diets,” says Devey. “The great thing about being a lineman and having to maintain a body weight of about 300 lbs is you could sneak a cookie every now and then.”
After eight years in the NFL, the 35-year-old decided in 2021 it was time to pursue other avenues.
“When you hit 30 you’re considered old in the league,” says Devey. “I always knew once I was done I would want to find something that I could get involved with the community and charities. I felt like nobody’s mad if you show up with a box of cookies.”
Cookie Co. believes that each local cookie shop can help their communities thrive by supporting and investing in the neighborhood, and by paying it forward through charitable giving.
“I drive by the intersection at 135th St. and State Line every Sunday on my way to church,” says Devey. “So, when we saw that the spot was available, we thought it would be a really great location.”
Devey describes the Cookie Co. client base as ‘grab-n-go’ – customers going to an event, family celebrations, teams stopping in after a sports game, etc.
The Cookie Co. brand does not have a drive-thru or lobby seating. The kitchen is visible to the public and customers are greeted at a walk-up counter.
“In our stores, something that we pride ourselves on is customer service,” says Devey. “We expect everyone to be greeted by our employees when they walk in the door and to order from a real human, not a kiosk.”
Cookie Co. offers six cookie flavors every week along with a selection of Twisted Sodas. Standard cookies include chocolate chip, Monster, and sugar. Signature recipes for opening week included Key Lime Pie – a graham cracker cookie topped with key lime pie filling, sliced almonds, and whipped cream frosting – and (this writer’s favorite) Sea Salt Caramel – a classic, buttery cookie with semi-sweet chocolate chips, toffee & caramel bits, topped with flakey sea salt.
The State Line location will offer online and walk-in ordering, takeaway and delivery, as well as catering. Store hours are Monday through Saturday, 8am-9pm and Sunday from 11am-5pm. To order online or for more information, visit cookieco.com/kansas-city-mo.