May 16, 2023

At one point, the owners of The Cookie Jar Eatery had planned to sell the business and retire.

Instead — at least for now — they’ll be moving to a new location and even expanding a bit.

Glen and Elaine Koch have owned The Cookie Jar for 20 of its 50 years in business. This summer, they’ll be moving it from the lobby of Shriver Square to the lobby of the Lumber Exchange building on the east side of downtown, 101 S. Reid St.

That’s the space where Josiah’s Coffeehouse & Cafe originally opened before it moved to its current downtown location. It’s been empty since Myers Deli & More closed nearly two years ago.

The location is “move-in ready, and it’s helping them facilitate some of their transition process, because they’re able to liquidate a lot,” the couple’s son Greg Koch said. “That space still has so many good assets already in it — the booths, the fireplace, the ambience. It’s already built in. The patio furniture is already there.”

The kitchen requires some work to accommodate their baking, but overall “it’s a phenomenal ready-to-go space for them to create a long-term solution for a new buyer,” Koch said. “That’s the been the biggest hangup.”

There’s been plenty of interest in the business, he said, but its current lease expires in June and can’t be renewed at Shriver Square. Buyers didn’t want to have to relocate right away.

“If we can get it established in a new location with new services and get that excitement around it, I think we’ll be great,” Koch said. “The location is phenomenal with built-in office tenants and the potential for catering with conference rooms right there and all the energy and excitement at 8th and Railroad.”

The Cookie Jar is “really good for the building, much needed for the building,” said commercial broker Scott Blount of Lloyd Cos., who put the deal together. “It’s been around a long time, and I know they have a following. They’re making  few changes down there. They are going to be some areas where Elaine can decorate cakes that will be glassed in, but they’re going to continue the tradition of soups and sandwiches and bakery. We’re thrilled to get them in downstairs and have that space back open for business.”

The Cookie Jar will continue to offer its menu of soups, salads, sandwiches and of course cookies, while also adding breakfast items and specialty coffees.

Glen and Elaine have been serving breakfast one Saturday a month at 605 Running Co., which Greg owns, and “one thing they landed on they really like is frittatas, so they’re excited to introduce that, and they’re famous for cinnamon and caramel rolls,” he said. “I for one am looking forward to biking down with my daughter and having a cinnamon roll.”

The couple will sell some of their fixtures and kitchen equipment, including items they have in storage, prior to the move. The plan is to finish up graduation orders and keep regular hours at Shriver Square until June. It likely will close in June and reopen in early July in the new location. It likely will be open Monday through Saturday.

“They are hiring for front of house, barista, line cook, kitchen prep and baking, so a mix of positions,” Koch said.

Glen and Elaine have signed a five-year lease, so “they are committed to finding the right buyer,” he added. “They want to see The Cookie Jar in Sioux Falls. We’ve been around 50 years and they want to see it keep going. With the excitement surrounding the area — The Riverline is not lost on us — and the impact that could be and the massive infrastructure being built in the area, it really should be established and turnkey.”

Apply at cookiejarsd.com.

As The Cookie Jar marks five decades, owners build family-like following