Shout out to Cookies Team running their Social Club accounts. The anticipation grew as I received notice that the grand opening date & time would be announced. It would be weeks before one day I get a message in my inbox that it would be 10/7 at 9 am. I slide the phone to my better half and we made a note in the calendar. A lot would transire between that message and the day we actually got in the car to trail it to Illinois, but needless to say this experience was one we will never forget and tell all our stoner friends & neighbors as we continue to wait on a Recreational day in the bluegrass state.
As the miles steadily collected and the GPS guides us into the windy and bitter cold city lights of Bloomington Illinois, we made note of our true destination as we needed to get prepped for the following morning. By the time we where checked into the hotel, Cookies had reached out & informed us of the time change from 9 AM to 11 am. Our plans however did not change, we would arrive early, 6 am early.
We pulled into the parking lot just a bit passed 6 am, before sunrise for sure. We where the first, we came all the way from Kentucky and not a wiff of ganja in the bitter cold air not a local in sight. Not even a idle car or groovy van to be spotted in the entire lot. SP was front and present, first and pumped to see the early bird swarm. We where parked for maybe 15 minutes before another car pulled up, just minutes later a few more cars pulled up. As we sat in the car deciding if we should chance losing our parking spot in exchange for Bob Evans which was just a hop n skip away, more cars pulled in & the sun was shining through the bitter cold. We seen a group approach the front of the building and enough time passed to where I was beginning to wonder if these people had braved the cold, the winds, and where going to tough it out, meaning we are not going to the first two in. I approached the front door for the first time to see nobody there. As I made my way back to the car a kind local informed me the store was opening at 11 AM. I got back in the car and the wife crawled in the back seat. We had stopped and picked up some goodies earlier and they were for sure kicking in. I decided to set my phone for a 35 minute timer to ensure I wouldn't wake up at 1PM heart broken and to ashamed to show face, why come all this way and miss the Grand Opening when that's the whole point of the trip, COOKIES GRAND OPENING IN BLOOMINGTON!
In mid sleep this thought occured to me that perhaps my phone is on mute- I opened my eyes and seen a parking lot with a lot more cars than when I shut my eyes. My timer hadn't even went off yet, I woke my wife up and we made our way to the front side of Cookies. There it was, the early bird line. There where 22 people in front of us. We got in line. We met Rae who's boyfriend had got a job at this Cookies Location. She was so thrilled for him, she told us how excited and proud he was.
As we waited in line a nice lady offered us and the rest of the patiently waiting tokers donuts! I'd find out later that this kind woman was the a key player in getting this particular location up and running. It was time for us to take that step passed the threshold and let me tell ya, it was one of a kind memories all the way around. As I received my ID back from Allied Security I entered into the waiting room. The hospitality was a pleasure as we conversed with two young ladies and explained that we came all the way from Kentucky. I got a picture on front of the iconic 'C' cookies neon lit logo and made my way into the actual hive of Cookies & one of a kind aromas. As we stood in line and continued to talk to our newly made friends debating what we should get. Cookies does a very humble and honorable thing, where before they rush the shelves with their stuff they give room to local venders and also create merch centered on their current location of that particular dispensary. Meaning their was no "That Badu" nor the C hockey jerseys sweaters, they had the Chicago Cubs Cookies shirts and Baseball logo swagg. I grabbed the Hawaiian Rain and some pre rolls. My budtender was Justin who also happened to be the store manager. We where the 23rd & 34th to recovery the goody bags. Even though we where right behind each other in line there where so many in line and shopping that the time it took between placing our orders with the floating budtenders with their tablets, it took a minute to get served once you got back in line. Justin showed me my goody bag which came with a free 8th of 93 Boys Gary Patton, a .5 gram cartridge of Aerīz live Resin Sauce Cartridge of their "Rainbowz" , 100 MG Gummys from Ozone and a shit ton more. I ended up having to put 3 pre rolls back as to stay in my out of state limit, I bought an 8th of Hawaiian Rain and Psychedelic Grandma Pre Roll which ran me $160 after taxes. The wife got a presidential pre roll along with Mexican Flan and a total of $170 worth of her legal limit. After taxes she rung up to $213.13 As you can see below this is the receipt for the free Goody's bag, & that alone made your purchases beyond worth it. (BELOW IS THE RECEIPT FOR THE GOODY BAG)
As I walked out of Cookies I spotted my wife and she was with the gang of humble smokers we met and talking to Ms LeeAnn which is when I learned that this particular location was a doozy to get open but all worth it at the end. We made our way to the sesh bus's and where amazed at the setup. It's one thing watching this stuff on TV but to be in it was a different kind of vibe. We checked out both buses. We where gifted again and again throughout the day at the opening, on the busses we got sandwiches & pre rolls as well as lighters. I was good & stoned. It was time to hit a restaurant & then bed.
From arriving in Illinois and facing the bitter winds, getting up at 5:30 am and pulling up as the 1st shopper to be their, to waking up from a nap to a line of 22 people, it all led up to a one of kind day. We had an awesome time getting to know Illinois Cookies. When they drop some Badu there we will be back, perhaps we check out another Cookies in the near future. You never know who you'll meet at the dispensary and who you are inspiring. You could feel the vibes, the team work, the pride and willingness to keep things flowing with love and perfection. Leeann helped aquire the building & lead the hiring process, while also handing out munchies and giving everyone a warm welcome- and the General Manager Justin was on the front lines opening day and rang up my order. Thank you to Tye, Steph, Dustin & Rae who we met in Line and provided company and laughs as we experienced the grand opening together. Berner you better be at the next opening of Cookies, but thank you for Cookies and all that this company brings to the game. Justin had this to say about the Grand Opening -"I'm so thankful for everyone who came out and supported our Grand Opening. We have a strong team here that brings nothing but good vibes. I hope everyone enjoyed the festivities both inside and outside the store!"
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2 comments
Nice article! Keep dropping those reviews!
Hey!!! I’m rae and absolutely agreed the wait was worth it and good friends along the way. Next time you and the lovely lady come to Bloomington hmu