Chris Knight, a 19-year-old African American entrepreneur from Richmond, Virginia, has recently opened his second location of Cookie Chris, a Black-owned chain that sells cookies, shakes, and ice cream. He has been able to do this while simultaneously keeping up a 4.0 GPA as an HBCU student at Morehouse College. From delivering homemade cookies in Williamsburg to running two successful stores, his business is growing fast.
Knight started baking cookies in 2021 while he was a junior at Warhill High School. His delicious creations quickly gained popularity, leading him and his parents to open the first Cookie Chris store when he was 16 years old. That store recently celebrated its second anniversary.
“I love it when people come here, buy my cookies, and smile,” Knight told the Daily Press. “That’s really how it all began. It is important that people enjoy my cookies.”
Since its opening, the Williamsburg store has been a hit, baking around 1,000 cookies daily. Encouraged by the success, Knight decided to expand, opening a second Cookie Chris in Richmond.
Knight chose Richmond for its vibrant community and personal connections. “Richmond felt like home,” he said, noting his family’s past ties to the area and his grandmother’s encouragement.
Balancing business and college life, Knight manages his Williamsburg store while studying philosophy and psychology at Morehouse College, an HBCU in Atlanta, where he maintains a 4.0 GPA. Despite his busy schedule, he worked 6-8 hours a day over the summer to prepare cookie dough, ensuring his stores had a consistent product while he was away.
The new Cookie Chris location will offer a mix of popular flavors like Oreo, chocolate chip, and Snickerdoodle, along with new options such as strawberry shortcake and the “Cookie Chris” special. Both stores will continue to serve a variety of ice creams and milkshakes.
Knight’s dedication to quality and customer satisfaction continues to drive his success, with both stores receiving rave reviews and a steady stream of happy customers.
Learn more about the brand and/or order online via its official website at CookieChris.com
Also, be sure to follow its Instagram @ItsCookieChris