An Interview with Arri of Cookie Crumz
When this new cookie spot popped up in Astoria, I was skeptical. Afterall, we already had plenty of dessert joints and even a few specializing in cookies. Still, since I am a dessert fiend myself, I knew I could leave no stone unturned. When I tried the fare at Cookie Crumz, I instantly fell in love.
Since my initial visit, Cookie Crumz has become a regular spot for me and my friends to grab a little treat. It’s not uncommon for me to receive a seemingly random text from a friend in Astoria that says something along the lines of, “just so you know…you don’t have to stop at Cookie Crumz if you don’t want to”. Which translates to, “go to Cookie Crumz on your way here”.
I knew I had to meet the mastermind behind this business and share his story with all of you. It would be a sin for people to not know about this wonderful small business that graced New York City with its presence.
I arrived at Cookie Crumz, ordered myself a Fruit Loops covered cookie called a Tooti Fruiti, and sat down with Argyrios Mavrogiorgis (aka Arri). It only took a few minutes for me to have the feeling that I had known Arri forever. He is surrounded by great energy and gives off nothing but positive vibes. He is passionate about Cookie Crumz and puts his whole heart into the business every single day.
Nina: Arri, tell me, why cookies?
Arri: The idea for Cookie Crumz actually started back in 2009. I was sitting at home sending out resumes and had a craving for something sweet. I wanted cookies but Oreos and those types of cookies just weren’t what I was thinking. Then I thought, “no one does anything with cookies”.
From that moment, Arri knew what he wanted to do. Everything just “flowed naturally” after that. The name just popped into his head, and he ran to his computer to check if a website with the name Cookie Crumz already existed. It was taken, but there was a glimmer of hope. The ownership had expired. There was a grace period for the original owner to take it back, so it wasn’t up for grabs just yet. Arri with all of his determination kept checking as the days went on. In the middle of the night, around 3 AM, Arri woke up and decided to check the site. It was available and now it was his!
The website was set. The incorporation documents were done. But the idea sat for years.
After a few years, Arri decided it was time to take a chance and he started looking for a brick and mortar space for his business.
Nina: Why New York City? Why Astoria?
Arri: I’m from Astoria, born and raised here.
Arri grew up in the heavily Greek neighborhood and knew it would be the perfect spot for his cookie business.
Prior to opening his Ditmars’ storefront, Arri ran Cookie Crumz out of a commercial warehouse in Long Island City, which started in 2018. At this point, Cookie Crumz was wholesale and an online only business. In a tragic tale that we are all too familiar with, in 2020, the pandemic hit. This caused many of Cookie Crumz’s main accounts to close down and led Arri to shut down for six months. This was almost the end of Cookie Crumz.
…I said almost.
Arri: I knew I had one decision, let go of my dream or pivot to retail.
Being an Astoria native, Arri watched the neighborhood grow and transition into the incredible city it is today. He wanted to bring his passion to his home and opened the Cookie Crumz storefront in November 2021.
Arri knew bringing a cookie business into Astoria would be tough. Chip City already had a large following and was right down the road from the storefront Arri was planning to open up in. Not only was there Chip City, but Duchess Cookies opened up just a couple of months before Cookie Crumz made its appearance. Arri didn’t let this persuade him. He continued on with his planning and prepping to open his storefront. Arri’s goal was not to compete, but to co-exist with these other cookie spots.
Arri: I wanted to keep true to my vision. We do everything here with our full hearts.
Talk about an icon. This is just one example of the amazing person Arri truly is!
Nina: What is your inspiration for the flavors?
Arri: I have a pastry chef, Rafael, who comes up with everything flavor-wise.
Rafael is truly gifted when it comes to cookie flavors and combinations. Trust me, I’ve eaten enough of these cookies to vouch for that! On a recent trip I had to Cookie Crumz (prior to this interview), one of the employees told me how “the chef decided to make this one better” as I ordered myself a PB&J cookie. He wanted the jelly to be homemade, which in turn gave the cookie an elevated taste. Since it was now being made in house, they didn’t have to be conservative with how much jam was in/on the cookie either.
Cookie Crumz puts out approximately 15-18 flavors per day. They mix them up regularly but always have the fan favorites and of course the classic chocolate chunky dunk! When you visit, you’ll see flavor cards in front of each cookie that tells you all about it. What’s even better, Arri personally described the cookies and his words became the descriptions. Right from the heart!
Arri loves to show off his passion for his cookies and his business. If you’re walking down Ditmars on any given weekend you have a good chance of seeing Arri standing outside with a tray of cookies handing out samples.
Arri: I just want people to enjoy the cookies.
Trust us, Arri, we do!
Nina: Any big plans for Cookie Crumz in the future?
Arri: Eventually, I’d love to expand and be nationwide one day, but for now I am focused on developing the brand. I love connecting with the customers and I don’t want to lose the home feeling of it all.
Part of that brand development includes a sublime partnership with Tipsy Scoop. You can get yourself a scoop of boozy ice cream or make a cookie ice cream sandwich. You can never go wrong with some dark chocolate whiskey salted caramel ice cream between two cookies, am I right?
In my personal opinion, the best way to enjoy these delicious cookies is during Friday happy hours! On Fridays, Cookie Crumz has a special deal buy 3, get one free. Don’t forget to grab a coffee while you’re there from the fully stocked coffee bar. I’d recommend their new Butter Biscotti Latte. Talk about a perfect start to the weekend!
Some of you might be thinking “I’ve definitely had a Cookie Crumz cookie before!” That’s probably true, and here’s why. Even if you haven’t visited Astoria. The Cookie Crumz storefront isn’t the only place you can enjoy these cookies!
If you’ve visited Citifield at all during this season, Cookie Crumz has a home there too. You can enjoy some Mets themed cookies on the Jim Beam promenade level. Even better, these cookies are made fresh daily on site! Cookie Crumz also made an appearance at the US Open selling their perfect crumfetti and chocolate chunky dunk cookies.
New York City sports and New York City small business? Yes please.
Cookie Crumz also caters parties, events, and even weddings! They’re actually doing an upcoming wedding that will have a cookie tower (yup!) and the favors for the wedding are more of their delicious cookies.
Thank you Arri for sharing your story and passion with us. You are an absolute gem of a human and we cannot wait to see Cookie Crumz thriving as the years pass.
Cookie Crumz is located at 29-18 Ditmars Bloulevard in Astoria Queens.
Be sure to follow them on social media @cookiecrumz to see what’s next for this stellar small business!
