Sweet! Downtown's Newest, & Freshest, Confectionery, Cookie39 Opens

NEW HAVEN, CT —The bookbag-clad kids quickly walking by 39 Broadway slowed down enough to get a good look inside. Though, one could smell what was cooking. There's nothing quite like the aroma of a fresh-baked chocolate chip (or any, for that matter) cookie.

Looking bright, spotless and of course inviting given what's inside, Cookie39, downtown's newest confectionery, is open for business. In advance of the official Thursday ribbon-cutting, Patch paid a visit to the new shop and sampled a cookie (or two) and is reporting back. After a sip of milk.

The young, friendly bakers, Sole Mead of Milford and Jonna Bacote of New Haven, explained how the bake shop works: "Everything is fresh. We do everything right here. We prep the dough, make it in the morning, bake and then keep the cookies nice and warm."

And the Shops at Yale noted that the shop is named for its location at 39 Broadway. It's an independent, family-owned scratch bakery with deep connections to New Haven and Yale. According to Shops at Yale, following a passion for baking instilled by generations of family, David Powell recently decided to establish his legacy in a business he can share with his son, Mark Powell. Mark Powell serves as Cookie39's Chief Operating Officer.

“New Haven and Yale are part of our family,” David Powell said. “Mark’s late grandfather is Carmen Cozza – legendary Yale University head football coach [from 1964 to 1996]. For as long as I can remember, the city of New Haven and Yale University have been my home away from home and an extension of our family. When we saw 39 Broadway available for lease, given its close proximity to where Carmen's office was located at the Ray Thompkins House, there was no way we could let this opportunity slip by. The rest is history.”

According to Shops at Yale, "As an on-demand bakery, Cookie39 ensures the freshest possible product for each order. Only a small number of cookies will be available for purchase before another fresh batch is baked.

The regular daily menu features six of the most popular recipes, including Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal Raisin, Cookies & Cream, Triple Chocolate, Sugar Cookie with Buttercream Frosting, and Peanut Butter Cup.

Seasonal flavors and one monthly special flavor will also be available on a rotating basis.

To give back to the community, Cookie39 will refrigerate and donate any unsold cookies from each day to local charitable food service providers, in addition to donating a portion of their sales to a variety of local non-profits.

The Angel Wings mural

At Cookie39’s remarkable Angel Wings mural, customers are invited and encouraged to take a memorable photo “wearing” angel wings created by renowned Global Angel Wings Project artist Colette Miller. The mural is a tribute to the beloved Powell family matriarch, Kristen Powell, who passed away suddenly in 2021.

Cookie39, located at 39 Broadway in New Haven, is open Monday-Thursday, 11:00am-10:00pm; Friday & Saturday, 11:00am-midnight; and Sunday, 11:00am-6:00pm. Convenient parking is available at The Shops at Yale surface parking lot at 56 Broadway.