MORRISTOWN, N.J. (Morris County) — Cookie Connect announced it will permanently close its Morristown location on Friday, Aug. 28, ending nearly five years of serving customers in Morris County.
In a Facebook post, owners Ali and Andrew said the decision was driven by rising operating costs and the financial challenges facing many independent small businesses.
The owners said the cost of 25 pounds of the premium chocolate used in the bakery’s products increased from about $230 a year ago to approximately $480 today, while consumers continue to face higher grocery and living expenses.
Rather than substitute lower-quality ingredients or raise prices significantly, the owners said they chose to continue making their cookies with premium ingredients and on-site handcrafting, a decision they said ultimately became financially unsustainable.
“We could have compromised by swapping our premium ingredients for cheap chemical additives, cutting corners, and stopping our on-site hand-crafting. But making cookies with integrity is our core ethos. We refused to feed you anything less than the best. Because we couldn’t fathom hiking up our prices on you during a tough economy, operating this way became unsustainable. We chose to absorb the blow for as long as we possibly could.”
The owners said they announced the closure a month in advance to give employees time to find new jobs and to allow customers to visit the shop before it closes.
“Even though this final month likely won’t turn a profit, our priority is crystal clear: people over profit.”
Cookie Connect will continue operating its locations in Hoboken, Bloomfield and Ridgewood.
“Thank you for 5 years of unforgettable memories, Morristown. Thank you for welcoming us into your families. We are deeply grateful for every single one of you,” the owners said.
