Hornet Express will see a new addition to its dining services with the opening of Corky’s Corner, a bakery shop that will serve cookies and smoothies to students and patrons.
The shop, which will open with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday, Oct. 6, will offer free samples on its first day during the first hour of operation. The sampling event will offer three flavors of cookies and smoothies, said Ayesha Arobee, regional marketing coordinator for Fresh Ideas, Emporia State’s food service vendor.
Corky’s Corner offers a different type of treat not previously found in Hornet Express. Smoothies and cookies are freshly made and easy to access for those who want a quick and personalized snack or drink. Smoothies can be customized to customer’s liking with fresh ingredients.
But with all the new options available at Corky’s Corner, a big question arises: how will the shop compare to past stores like Happy Boba, which once stood in the same spot but closed quickly? That service also provided a unique treat, but even the trendiness of boba, a milk and tea-based drink with tapioca pearls, at the time wasn’t able to keep it around.
Arobee believes prices and the new variety add a lot to the value of the new spot.
“Corky’s Corner is different as we have never tried cookies and smoothies here,” Arobee said. “We have tried to keep the prices ‘reasonable’ for students and staff…the smoothies you’re going to find are going to be anywhere between $4.99 to $5.99… which should help us sustain.”
The cookies Corky’s Corner will offer will be sold for about $2.89 to $3.19. There will be six to seven types of cookies available, with a unique cookie rotating into the selection each month.
“We will be offering a special ‘Corky’s Cookie’ every month as well as a special flavor of smoothie every month. So because we’re already going to be in October very soon, I feel like we’re going to start off with pumpkin spice, because of Halloween. These flavor(s) will rotate and change monthly,” Arobee said.