Contributed A SWEET ADDITION — The Brooke County Area Chamber of Commerce and members of the Wellsburg Urban Development Authority welcomed The Kookie Jar, a new business that has opened in the Charles Street building that the UDA restored through federal and local funds. Cutting the ribbon was owner Cindi Alkire, who was accompanied by her husband, Jason Eager.

WELLSBURG — Area residents seeking a sweet treat to pick up their day or a hearty sandwich for breakfast or lunch can stop by the Kookie Jar, a new business that offers much more than its name suggests.

The new business is the first occupant of a three-story building at 701 Charles St. that has undergone $750,000 in renovations through the efforts of the Brooke County Urban Development Authority.

Members of the group joined the Brooke County Area Chamber of Commerce in welcoming the business with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Feb. 9.

Owner Cindi Alkire expressed appreciation to the chamber for its warm welcome and to the UDA, her husband, Jason Eager; and others who worked with her to make its opening possible.

Each day, Alkire serves up about nine varieties of cookies, from the many she offers, on a rotating basis.

The wide selection of cookies includes cheesecake no bake, Kentucky butter cake, brownie sundae, carrot cake, brown sugar cinnamon, Gimme S’more, peanut butter and iced sugar.

“Ultimate chocolate chip is our number one seller, hands down,” she said, while adding her banana pudding cookie and oatmeal cream pie cookies have won awards at the Brooke County Fair.

“Our cookies are dye-free and we don’t use any additives or preservatives,” said Alkire.

The Kookie Jar also offers an assortment of sandwiches, including sausage, egg and cheese on English muffins or sourdough bagels, ham and Swiss, roast beef and cheddar, buffalo chicken and pepperjack, and turkey and provolone or Havarti, a Danish cheese; as well as a grilled cheese sourdough panini.

Customers can wash the sandwiches or snacks down with a cup of coffee, regular or decaffeinated; espresso, latte, iced coffee, hot tea or the Kookie Jar’s own cocoa, which is made from scratch.

Alkire can add any of eight varieties of organic, flavored syrups to the drinks.

She uses the business’ Facebook page and Instagram account to advertise which sandwiches and cookies are available each day. Potential customers also may call (304) 884-9630.

She noted bread for the sandwiches is baked locally by Homemade Happiness by Angie’s of Follansbee. It’s among several local businesses that have received a boost from the Kookie Jar.

In addition to the many sweets prepared by Alkire, the business’ shelves are filled with gluten-free treats prepared by Gracefully Gluten-free of Moundsville and products ranging from soaps made with natural ingredients to jams, jellies and maple syrup produced by local farms.

“We have products from a total of eight vendors at our store. Most are in Brooke County,” said Alkire.

Promoting the development of new businesses and revitalizing Wellsburg’s downtown business district are among goals for the Wellsburg Urban Development Authority.

With funds from the city for local matches and federal money secured by U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., the volunteer board embarked on a two-year effort to restore the building in which the Kookie Jar operates.

Crews with Modex Contracting of Wellsburg stabilized the structure with new interiors, replaced its roof and installed new windows, electrical wiring and plumbing.

The building and two others, at 65 and 75 Seventh St. border the northeast corner of the Wellsburg Town Square, where the Wellsburg Applefest and many other community events are held.

All three had faced demolition until the UDA purchased them, for $100, with the intention of restoring them. Chaired by Alex Weld, the group is pursuing funds for the other two buildings.

Before opening her brick and mortar location, Alkire had been a regular at monthly summer block parties held by the UDA to raise funds.

She also sold her goods at the Brooke County Fair and other events.

A native of Lewis County, Alkire had operated a restaurant until a battle with cancer put that on hold. Following her recovery, she turned to baking as a pastime and that snowballed into a new business venture, she said.

Alkire said she and her husband moved to Wellsburg to be closer to family there, and she has enjoyed living and doing business in Brooke County.

“We love Wellsburg. It’s such a fantastic place. It’s quiet but there’s so much in this area,” she said.

The Kookie Jar is open from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

(Scott can be contacted at wscott@heraldstaronline.com.)