“You trying to throw some free cookies our way?” Asked the laughing driver from the SUV perched next to us at a red light on W. Broad St.
“You trying to throw some free cookies our way?” Asked the laughing driver from the SUV perched next to us at a red light on W. Broad St.
“Sorry man, wish I could help you out. We’re open till 2 though, you should check it out!” Shouted back the driver of the car as I sat shotgun. The topper on our roof read “Red Eye Cookie Co” and we were whizzing through the river city at 11p.m. on a Friday night to deliver gourmet cookies.
The light flashed green again and we took off down Broad, hard rock music blaring from the stereo. “You’d be surprised how often that happens,” he said turning to me. “This is like the coolest job ever,” he adds on, smiling as his right hand taps along to the music. The car flies past downtown and we take a sharp turn before beginning to weave through the darkened streets, the aroma of fresh-baked cookies permeating the interior of the vehicle.
Red Eye Cookie Co. is the first late-night cookie delivery service to grace the streets of Richmond. The shop opened in mid-March of this by two locals and long-time friends, Brayden Pleasants and Colin Wright.
“It’s a good business to be in, it’s a happy business—bringing cookies to people. Hopefully nobody hates us too much,” Pleasants said playfully.
Open from 6p.m.- 1a.m. Monday through Thursday and until 2a.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Pleasants said the company dishes out thousands of cookies a week, like a red-eye flight, late night.
“If part of our clientele happens to have red eyes through their own recreational pursuits and have a hankering for cookies, we are inclusive rather than exclusive so we cater to cookie lovers of all types,” Pleasants said smiling, commenting on the tongue-and-cheek company name.
Since their opening, Red Eye has introduced many options for cookie-lovers as well as several “revolving” flavors including blueberry muffin, bourbon bacon chocolate chip and ginger molasses.
Pleasants said there’s a lot of innovation involved, but their goal is to maintain a fairly simple menu.
“Colin and I both have a little culinary background and honed our recipes. We purposely chose classical recipes but also run the gamut and have something for everyone. We’re continually trying to bring on recipes and flavors,” he said.
Any good cookie needs a glass of milk, and Red Eye doesn’t ignore this staple in the sweet-treat diet. Cookie orders can come with half gallons of Homestead Creamery whole, skim or chocolate milk as well as Silk original or chocolate Silk soy milk. Red Eye also brews and delivers Lamplighter Roasting Company coffee, keeping the connection to Richmond local businesses.
“We’re interested in building a really robust brand. We love Richmond and we really try to connect with the community and our demographic in different and creative ways,” Pleasants said.
He said that the customers can expect to see the company popping up more frequently around town as their specialty cookies make their way to more co-branded and promotional events with local bars and breweries as well as charity events and local festivals.
In just a matter of months, the quirky company has quickly expanded and just this week began selling their goods in wholesale at local Richmond corner shops including Union, Lombardy, Clay St. and The Trolley Markets as well as Harvest Grocery + Supply. Red Eye was also one of only six selected vendors for the Redskins training camp this summer.
“Could you expect to ever see another red-eye cookie co? I wouldn’t bet against it. That’s certainly a goal as we grow. We want to build solid foundations and do things the right way first and foremost, but of course it’s any companies goal to grow and expand,” Pleasants said.
Cookie orders can be placed online or at the store.
