News Summary
Eastern Henrico has opened its doors to Cookie Chris, the latest addition to a popular cookie franchise by 20-year-old entrepreneur Christopher Knight Jr. Located at 4091 Concord Creek Place, the vibrant bakeshop offers an array of freshly made cookies, ice cream, and milkshakes. Cookie Chris aims to create a joyful atmosphere with its signature designs and unique flavors, contributing positively to the local community and culinary scene. Knight plans to continue the expansion of his business while pursuing his law education.
Eastern Henrico recently welcomed its newest bakeshop, Cookie Chris, marking the third location of the popular cookie franchise owned by 20-year-old entrepreneur Christopher Knight Jr. The new store is located at 4091 Concord Creek Place, conveniently situated near the Richmond Raceway. This expansion comes after Knight established his first Cookie Chris outlet in Williamsburg in August 2022, followed by a second one in Short Pump in the summer of 2024.
Each Cookie Chris location features a vibrant design with the brand’s signature colors of hot pink and electric blue. The walls display the cheerful tagline “Cookies Make You Smile,” contributing to an atmosphere aimed at creating memorable experiences with bright colors and neon signs perfect for photo opportunities. The store will operate daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. from Sunday to Thursday, and until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.
Cookie Offerings and Business Model
Cookie Chris is known for its rotating weekly menu featuring six different cookie flavors. Customers can purchase cookies individually or in boxes containing four, six, or a dozen, with each cookie priced just under $5. The cookies have a diameter of approximately 5 inches and are made fresh daily using Knight’s carefully crafted recipe that results in a crispy outside and a soft, gooey inside. Popular flavors include chocolate chip, strawberry shortcake, Fruity Pebble, banana pudding, and salted caramel chip. In total, Cookie Chris boasts a lineup of around 70 to 80 different cookie flavors.
Aside from cookies, the bakeshop also serves ice cream and milkshakes, providing a variety of sweet treats to its customers.
Employment and Personal Aspirations
Knight employs four to five staff members at each location, with his parents, Fran and Chris Sr., providing assistance as needed. The profits generated by Cookie Chris contribute towards Knight’s college expenses, and he plans to allocate these funds for his future law school costs. Currently a junior at Morehouse College in Atlanta, he is majoring in philosophy and studying pre-law, aspiring to attend William & Mary for law school.
Future Business Plans
Even after completing his law degree, Knight intends to continue running Cookie Chris and is considering the option of franchising the business. This vision reflects his belief in the brand’s potential for growth and his commitment to combining his legal career with his entrepreneurial aspirations.
Local Business Environment
The new Cookie Chris location is part of the Springdale Park retail development, which includes a Dunkin’ and a Wingstop, offering a variety of dining options to local consumers. Another restaurant, Chipotle, is also expected to open on a nearby parcel later this fall.
As Knight continues to expand Cookie Chris, he blends his passion for baking and business with his academic pursuits, establishing a model of entrepreneurship that resonates with the young generations in Eastern Henrico and beyond. The launch of this latest bakeshop not only adds to the local culinary scene but also showcases the entrepreneurial spirit of young individuals making their mark in the community.
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Additional Resources
- Richmond BizSense: Cookie Chris Expanding to Eastern Henrico
- Wikipedia: Cookies
- WRIC: Cookie Chris Grand Opening
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Cooking
- Daily Press: Cookie Chris Opens Another Store
- Google Search: Cookie Chris Richmond
- WTVR: Cookie Chris Expands
- Google News: Cookie Chris
Author: STAFF HERE WILLIAMSBURG WRITER
WILLIAMSBURG STAFF WRITER The WILLIAMSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREWilliamsburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Williamsburg, James City County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Williamsburg Farmers Market, Yorktown Market Days, and Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce and Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, plus leading businesses in education and hospitality that power the local economy such as College of William & Mary, The Williamsburg Winery, and Sodexo. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREVirginiaBeach.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Virginia's dynamic landscape.
