First Place – Insomnia Cookies

If you’re up late and want some sweets after all the dining halls close or you just want a good snack, Insomnia Cookies is the place for you.

The company was founded in a college dorm in 2003 at the University of Pennsylvania by a student, Seth Berkowitz, and has grown to over 100 locations — the closest being South Water Street in downtown Kent.

Insomnia Cookies serves fresh baked cookies like peanut butter chip, s’mores, white chip macadamia, oatmeal raisin and the classic chocolate chip cookie. Not to mention, you can get your cookie a la mode or get a cookiewich — two cookies with ice cream in between. You can even get a cold glass of milk with an order of cookies.

They are open for early birds and night owls from 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. on weekends and 9 a.m. to 3 a.m. on weekdays. They deliver 12 p.m. to 3 a.m. on weekends and 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. on weekdays if you want fresh baked cookies delivered straight to your door.

If cookies aren’t your thing, Insomnia also offers brownies and ice cream with mix-ins such as sprinkles, Reese’s pieces and M&M’s.

Second Place – Peace, Love and Little Donuts

Coming in second place, Peace, Love and Little Donuts is the perfect place for someone who is looking for something out of the ordinary.

With flavors like triple chocolate meltdown, maple bacon and buttercup, there’s a donut for everyone.

The business is known for not only its donuts, but also its scenery. Walking in, customers are met with 60s and 70s music, positive energy and plenty of tie-dye.

It’s definitely a place that when you come in, “you don’t forget about it,” said Assistant Manager Tess Williamson.

Williamson said the best part is how small the donuts are because you can try so many different kinds.

“If you want to try a chocolate one, you can do that, and if you want to try a fruity one, you can do that too,” Williamson said. “There’s so much of an option for people.”

Students can watch their donuts being made right in front of them. With fresh donuts coming out of the fryer every 20 to 30 minutes, the donuts are topped as soon as they’re ordered, making it a sweet treat anyone can enjoy.

Third place – Popped!

Homegrown in Ohio, Popped! popcorn serves up delicious treats in its shop downtown.

Popcorn selections include firehouse popcorn, buttered popcorn, kettle corn and specialty blends like the Black Squirrel Crunch that includes caramel popcorn with peanuts, kettle corn, and pieces of chocolate covered peanut brittle.

Popped! also offers chocolates made on premise like chocolate truffles and peanut butter acorns. In addition, they have homemade ice cream with flavors like chocolate covered strawberry, toffee nut and Bent Tree coffee.

All popcorn and desserts are made with local butter from Hartzler Family Dairy, locally roasted nuts and honey from their own backyard, making Popped! a local favorite.

Chloe Forbes is a feature writer. Contact her at [email protected].