Posted online January 25, 2018 | 10:55 am

RELATED The Cup to change hands



Last edited 2:15 p.m., Jan. 25, 2018

A new ventured dubbed Crave Cookie Dough LLC is replacing The Urban Cup LLC downtown.



Dylan Collins — with business partner Maggie West and silent investors — plans to open the shop specializing in edible cookie dough at 325 E. Walnut St. in April.



After finding a video last year showing a cookie dough recipe, Collins researched the idea of opening a brick-and-mortar shop.



“Basically, all you could do was buy it online,” he said of the concept that involves pasteurized eggs and heat-treated flour to make the dough safe to eat.



Collins said Crave Cookie Dough would launch with nine flavors, as well as cookie dough shakes and dessert sandwiches.



Collins and West are colleagues at Maria's Mexican Restaurant, where he’s a bar manager and she’s a waitress. West will run the cookie dough shop as its full-time manager, Collins said.



Crave Cookie Dough is financed by a $130,000 U.S. Small Business Administration loan, as well as a 20 percent additional investment from Collins and his investors.



At the 1,800-square-foot East Walnut Street space, Collins signed a three-year lease with building owner Craig Wagoner.



Wagoner, who could not be reached for comment by deadline, also owns The Urban Cup. The Brentwood Management Inc. owner in 2015 bought what was then called The Cup and converted it to the new branding.



Collins said Wagoner is not involved in Crave Cookie Dough, other than serving as its landlord. In addition to the lease, Collins also agreed to buy the existing equipment inside The Urban Cup.



Urban Cup employees appear to have resisted the switch, according to a Jan. 23 post on the dessert shop’s Facebook page.



“Our shop has been sold to a new company, and while we are not ready to leave, we understand that business is business,” the post reads. “We are so grateful for the opportunity we have had to be a part of this beautiful community.

"We will remain open during the week of Valentine’s Day and will try to post updates on when our official last day will be."