Plant-based cookie shop MidnighTreats opened a new College Park location on Feb. 8, according to the store’s owner Jordan Rutland.

The shop on College Avenue occupies the building which previously housed Insomnia Cookies and is the company’s first store in Maryland. The Virginia-based chain operates locations in Reston, Arlington and Alexandria.


The store’s cookies are all plant-based and vegan. Rutland said the store is a great way to provide students who have adopted a vegan diet with more options.

“I would describe us as a plant–based cookie company that’s really just on a mission to spread love,” Rutland said, “you know, creating a more peaceful and sustainable environment, trying to establish a positive perception around plant-based foods.” 

MidnighTreats has donated thousands of dollars to animal sanctuaries across the country and to schools in the northern Virginia area, according to its website. The company has also partnered with Eden Reforestation Projects, an organization which collaborates with communities to restore and conserve ecosystems, to plant more than 19,000 trees.

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Natalie Cabrera, an employee at the new location, described the store’s environment as “wholesome.” 

Cabrera said her favorite thing about the shop is its no waste policy. Recently, the owner gave its leftover cookies to businesses nearby in College Park, she said.

By next month, the College Park location plans to add oat milk ice cream to its menu, introducing a new option to its selection of plant–based treats, Cabrera said.

Michael Williams, College Park’s economic development director, said the city planned to fill the vacancy left by Insomnia Cookies with a place that fit the theme of “late night munchies.” So when MidnighTreats expressed interest in the location, he said, it was a perfect fit.

With its proximity to campus, the Landmark Apartments complex and several sorority and fraternity houses, Williams said MidnighTreats is in a “very good place to capture foot traffic.”  

The shop’s late night hours will also allow the store to have a surge of customers when people are on their way home from going out, he added. The store is open from 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, and from 12 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, according to the company’s website.

Jordan Lieberman, a sophomore hearing and speech science major, visited the store last week. Lieberman said she thought that MidnighTreats had more options than Insomnia Cookies, and enjoyed the ones she tried.

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MidnighTreats is “another good spot to go at night with your friends,” she said.

Sophomore neuroscience major Sienna Hoefer enjoyed the cookies, and said the store reminded her of a mix between Insomnia Cookies and Crumbl Cookies. 

Neither of the students said they knew the cookies were vegan before they tried them, and both said they couldn’t tell a difference.

“Right now I’m a big fan of the strawberry shortcake cookie,” Williams said.  “So check them out and when you go, just kind of get every flavor … I’m sure you’ll come down with a best flavor for yourselves.”