It started in an apartment, two students and a bunch of cookie dough. It’s now a Gainesville favorite.

Cookiegazm started as two UF students in 2015 making cookies in their apartment for some extra cash.

Aaron Seemann, who was 21, and his friend Daniel Leal, who was 19, made cookies for their friends and neighbors, Seemann said. However, the Cookiegazm name spread quickly.

On Saturday into early Sunday, more than 600 people came to the company’s grand opening for their brick and mortar store, located at 12 SW 2nd St., in downtown Gainesville.

“We have plans to go to a national level,” Seemann said.

In January 2016, Seemann said Cookiegazm worked out of Omi’s Tavern, located at 101 SE 2nd Place, for about a year and a half. In August, they had a soft opening for their own store.

But now they’re ready to tackle this next step, so they hosted the grand opening to let people know that they can come in, sit down and enjoy a cookie.

Kayli Bryant, a UF marine science and Spanish freshman, who orders Cookiegazm every two weeks, waited in line for about 25 minutes to satisfy her sweet tooth with one of their delicious cookies.

“It’s so good, and the cookies are unique,” the 18-year-old said.

Seemann said he never thought Cookiegazm would become this big.

Although there is competition in the area, Seemann said he believes Cookiegazm will continue to do well due to their student-oriented mindset and location.

“I think that’s what differentiates us from Midnight Cookies, is that we sell more than cookies — we sell Cookiegazm,” Seemann said.

The Alligator staff’s top favorites

• Slutty chocolate chip
• White chocolate macadamia
• S’mores
• Peanut butter
• Cookies and cream
• PB&J

Aaron Seemann, owner, and Jose Benacerraf, partner and investor, celebrate the opening of Cookiegazm’s new store located in downtown Gainesville.