Jubilant customers waited in line to try out the flavorful treats the new cookie shop at Campus Pointe has to offer.
Kevin Jordan, franchise owner of Cookie Plug in Fresno and Fresno State alumni, held the grand opening of Cookie Plug at Campus Pointe on March 9. Jordan was an offensive lineman for the Fresno State Bulldogs football team and graduated in 2000.
“It’s a dream come true,” Jordan said. “I feel like I’m back home.”
Cookie Plug began its humble beginnings in Riverside, California in 2019. Erik Martinez, founder of Cookie Plug, was inspired by street art and hip-hop culture and wanted to change the blueprint of how cookies were made by making them thicker and more flavorful.
Cookie Plug started to expand rapidly in 2022 and ever since the franchise has spread like wildfire across Southern California and across the country.
Cookie Plug at Campus Pointe celebrated its grand opening with music and freshly baked cookies. The event began at noon with the purpose of establishing its presence within the Fresno State area and building a sense of community.
The new cookie spot is marketed towards young people and college students, which is why Jordan thought Campus Pointe was a perfect location for his establishment.
“Campus Pointe picked us over our other competitor, Dirty Dough,” Jordan said. “They love our concept, so I think it’s a match made in heaven.”
Cookie Plug collaborated with local vendors and organizations such as the TROY Center and the Central California SPCA to offer services and entertain the attendees as they waited in line to purchase cookies.
“We got the music playing, we got video games, we got face painters,” said Nicc Butler, volunteer of the TROY Center and friend of Jordan. “If you look at it, it’s like a community. We got people outside and it’s a beautiful day today.”
Alongside the high spirits of the event, attendees expressed how delicious the cookies were.
Cookie Plug distinguishes its cookies from other cookie stores due to its variety of flavors and composition of its cookies. Jordan said the cookies are a mixture of a cookie, brownie and cake.
Cookie Plug offers cookies such as “Purple Haze,” which is purple velvet and white chocolate, and “Firecracker” cookie, which is s’mores in cookie form. Cookie Plug offers the option to add ice cream and the customization of cookie cakes.
Vendors have expressed how Cookie Plug will be an asset to the local community as it will generate revenue.
“The cookie shop looks like it will be a good addition,” said Oscar Midales, a volunteer of Central California SPCA. “Just because it is around a good spot on campus where it will be an attractive place for consumers to come.”
The grand opening event had a good turnout, as the line to Cookie Plug stretched from its entrance to the front of Maya Cinemas. Many attendees anticipated the grand opening of Cookie Plug for a long time and were present to show their support.
“I brought my family out to support,” said Jewels Nuno, an event attendee and Cookie Plug employee. “I actually work at Cookie Plug. Kevin is so cool.”
Jordan plans to open up two more Cookie Plug locations in Fresno within the next 9 to 12 months and will continue working with local vendors.
