by Malcolm Butler
Ruston residents will soon have a couple of new options to satisfy their sweet tooth.
Great American Cookies and Marble Slab Creamery are slated to be part of a new development currently under construction on the southwest side of the Cooktown Road bridge, across from Starbucks, Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker confirmed Wednesday.
The two dessert concepts will be located as part of a renovated convenience store development at the site.
Walker confirmed the plans during an interview with the Lincoln Parish Journal after checking with city officials familiar with the project.
Great American Cookies and Marble Slab Creamery are sister concepts owned by FAT Brands and are frequently paired together in co-branded locations. Great American Cookies, founded in 1977, is known for its Original Cookie Cake, cookies, brownies and Double Doozies, while Marble Slab Creamery, founded in 1983, specializes in small-batch ice cream prepared using its frozen-slab technique and customized with mix-ins.
An opening date for the Ruston location has not been announced.
Construction at the site comes as significant work continues in the Cooktown Road area.
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development is in the midst of a $39 million project to replace the La. 544/Cooktown Road overpass over Interstate 20. Work began earlier this year and includes construction of a new bridge on a slightly adjusted alignment along with new roadway infrastructure. The overall project is scheduled for completion in late 2029.
Despite the extensive road construction surrounding the area, work continues on the new convenience store and dessert development.
Attempts to contact the owners for additional details on the development or anticipated opening date have not been successful.
