Moon Rocks Gourmet Cookies Opens In New Haven

From Yale University Properties: Yale University Properties held a ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday, April 2, 2018 at 3:00pm to welcome Moon Rocks Gourmet Cookies to The Shops at Yale in the Broadway Shopping District. The ceremony took place at 286 York Street, next to Blue State Coffee and Ashley’s Ice Cream. Senator Richard Blumenthal joined the ceremony.

Owner and Greater New Haven resident Marni Rae-Esposito opened her first Moon Rocks Gourmet Cookies bakery and storefront on Dixwell Avenue in Hamden in 2015. The bakery quickly became a local favorite and the York Street location will mark Moon Rocks’ second location.

Moon Rocks’ story began in 1975, when Marni’s mother, Cynthia Rae, a former culinary student, developed a unique recipe for cookies. Cynthia spent the next 40 years perfecting her recipe and creating a wide-variety of flavors — testing them on lucky family members and friends throughout the years.

Moon Rocks Gourmet Cookies uses only premium ingredients and sells more than 80 different flavors throughout the year, as well as a variety of corporate and custom branded gift baskets. Additionally, there is a College Cookie Monthly Subscription, where students receive cookies every month from September through May.

“I am ready to bring New Haven, the foodie capital of Connecticut, a fresh take on an already beloved product,” said Marni Rae-Esposito, President & CEO of Moon Rocks Gourmet Cookies. “Downtown New Haven and The Shops at Yale was an obvious choice for me. Downtown is buzzing with activity, and The Shops at Yale offers high visibility through their marketing programs and events.” added Rae-Esposito.

“We are delighted to work with Marni as she expands her business into New Haven,” said Lauren Zucker, Yale University Associate Vice President for New Haven Affairs and University Properties. “Yale University’s Community Investment Program supports the growth of independently-owned local businesses, reinvigorating New Haven’s downtown and expanding the city’s tax base.”

The Shops at Yale & Yale University Properties

The Shops at Yale is made up of the Chapel Street Historic and Broadway Districts in New Haven and it includes a mix of retailers and restaurants, such as Apple, J.Crew, GANT, Derek Simpson Goldsmith, Union League Café, Midpoint Istanbul Restaurant, Shake Shack, and Yurway Boutique. Yale University Properties manages Yale University's commercial properties, including retail stores, office spaces, and residential units in New Haven. Enabled by Yale's community investment program, University Properties is committed to enhancing the quality of life in New Haven through the development of high quality retail and office environments and the revitalization of surrounding neighborhoods. As a result of University Properties’ community investment program, Yale University is one of the largest taxpayers in the city of New Haven. Learn more at TheShopsatYale.com and ONHSA.Yale.edu.

Parking

Ample parking for The Shops at Yale is available at four convenient surface parking lots adjacent to stores and restaurants — 56 Broadway, 40 Dixwell Avenue, 255 Crown Street and 161 York Street. Directions can be found at TheShopsatYale.com/Parking. On-street parking is available throughout the city, with the ability to accept payment through credit cards or mobile app.

Photo Caption

From left to right; Steve Fontana, City of New Haven; Lauren Zucker, Yale University Associate Vice President for New Haven Affairs and University Properties; Cynthia Rae, Moon Rocks Gourmet Cookies; U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal and Marni Rae-Esposito, President & CEO of Moon Rocks Gourmet Cookies.

Media Contact

David DelVecchio, 203-436-4046, david.delvecchio@yale.edu

Upcoming Events at The Shops at Yale

College Night at The Shops at Yale, Thursday, April 12, 2018

Broadway-Chapel Food Tour by Taste of New Haven, Sunday, April 29, 2018

New Haven’s Top Model Search, Saturday, June 9, 2018

Photo courtesy of Yale University Properties