Crumbl Cookies abruptly closes SLO shop after only 4 months

Kaytlyn Leslie
·2 min read

After only four months, Crumbl Cookies abruptly closed its San Luis Obispo location this week, with little to no explanation.

A sign posted on the door of the 481 Madonna Road shop Friday said the location “has closed permanently.”

“This store was not affiliated with the other stores in the area,” the sign read. “If you have questions or concerns about this location, please reach out to support@crumbl.com.”

A FedEx missed delivery slip dated for Dec. 5 was also on the door of the now-shuttered business.

After only four months, Crumbl Cookies abruptly shuttered its San Luis Obispo location in December 2023. A sign posted on the door of the 481 Madonna Road shop said the location “has closed permanently.”
After only four months, Crumbl Cookies abruptly shuttered its San Luis Obispo location in December 2023. A sign posted on the door of the 481 Madonna Road shop said the location “has closed permanently.”

A Crumbl news release provided to The Tribune on Friday afternoon indicated the closure was only temporary as of Dec. 4, though a spokesperson later confirmed the closure is permanent.

“Orders placed after the closure date are being refunded to customers,” the release said. “Crumbl understands the inconvenience this may cause and appreciates the understanding of its valued patrons.”

According to the release, Crumbl “operates as a franchise model business, allowing entrepreneurs to invest in and run their own stores.”

“This approach provides aspiring business owners with an opportunity to be part of the Crumbl brand while independently managing their respective locations. Crumbl franchise owners may opt to close their stores due to personal reasons. This decision is made independently by each owner and may involve various factors.”

The store — one of several new San Luis Obispo County locations for the fast-growing national cookie chain — opened at the entrance to the SLO Promenade shopping center in August.

The location was owned by Julie Craven, Angela and Lary Smith and Ben and Michele Fowler, according to a release at the time of the opening.

Craven, a Cal Poly alumna, said she was looking forward to the opportunity to open a Crumbl Cookies locally.

“I am so excited and honored to put roots down once again in San Luis Obispo and bring all of our family, friends and communities together over the world’s best cookies,” Craven said in the release.

Crumbl Cookies also has Central Coast locations at 2307 Theatre Drive in Paso Robles, 503 Five Cities Drive in Pismo Beach and 449 Betteravia Road in Santa Maria.