New Zealand icon Cookie Time is on countdown to opening the world’s first Cookie Bar in Queenstown.
The innovative new Cookie Time store and Cookie Bar will open on Monday May 17, a showcase outlet designed as a world-class retail experience the company plans to franchise throughout the world.
Customers can lean on the Cookie Bar and enjoy hot, freshly baked cookies, hot chocolates and ice cold milk, all while listening to New Zealand music and reveling in views of Queenstown’s Village Green and surrounding mountains.
The Cookie Time store is the company’s first retail outlet outside of its Christchurch headquarters.
It will be an interactive brand experience featuring Apple touch screens that highlight the company’s 27-year history since Kiwi brothers Guy and Michael Mayell developed New Zealand’s first giant chocolate cookies. It will also have a ‘Pick and Mix’ wall where customers can fill a bucket or box with their favourite pick of Cookie Time’s cookies.
World-renowned Weta Workshop is bringing a touch of Hollywood to the store, with fun design elements the Cookie Time team is keeping under wraps until opening day.
“We’re absolutely thrilled with how the store and bar is coming along,” says Cookie Time general manager Lincoln Booth.
“We’re giving away thousands of free cookies on our first day. The store will be open from 8am to 7pm to ensure everyone gets their cookie fix.
“Queenstown attracts visitors from all around New Zealand and all around the world, and we’re sure this new addition to the ‘bar scene’ will be welcomed not only by visitors but by locals as a real drawcard.”
Cookie Time began 27 years ago, delivering fresh cookies to dairies in Christchurch. The company has since grown to become New Zealand's favourite cookie brand. The Queenstown store will be a very different offering to its nationwide retail model, according to Mr Booth.
The Queenstown location was chosen for its high number of national and international visitors.
Cookie Time has a long-term commitment to Queenstown, having invested a six-figure sum in the Queenstown store at a time of recessionary uncertainty.
