First Place: Popped!

A Kent original, Popped! is your go to for all things chocolate and popcorn. 

You can visit Popped! at its original location in Acorn Alley and at the newly opened space in downtown Ravenna. 

Opened by owner and confectioner Gwen Rosenberg in 2012, Popped! features all their own unique recipes. 

All the popcorn is Ohio grown, non-GMO and made with local butter from Hartzler Family Dairy in Wooster. 

Their best seller is the caramel popcorn with sea salt, but Popped! also has an extensive chocolate selection available. And all the candies and chocolate are also made from scratch with local ingredients. 

“We’ve been expanding our chocolates,” Rosenberg said. “We do hand-dipped chocolates, all different kinds of peanut brittles, it’s kinda like a confectionery shop.”

Rosenberg said Popped! is thrilled to be recognized for Best of Kent. 

“We try to have a lot of fun with what we do,” she said. “We love it and we’re glad people like it, too.”

Second Place: Insomnia Cookies 

Founded in a college dorm room at the University of Pennsylvania in 2003 by Seth Berkowitz, Insomnia Cookies is a staple in late night delivery. 

Located on South Water street in Kent, Insomnia Cookies is open seven days a week until 3 a.m., making it the obvious choice to cure a late night sweet tooth. 

The unique bakery specializes in cookies of all shapes and sizes. This includes cookie cakes and sandwiches or “wiches” with ice cream or icing.

Insomnia Cookies also offers event catering, merchandise and gift boxes for birthdays, office parties or “just because.”

Third Place: Peace, Love & Little Donuts

The first Peace, Love & Little Donuts opened in 2009 in Pittsburgh’s Strip District and has been spreading around the U.S. ever since, with locations in 14 states. 

Peace, Love & Little Donuts specializes in small cake donuts that are decorated with unique and flavorful toppings. Choices range from plain donuts, classic powdered sugar, all the way to maple bacon, cherry pie, Oreo and more. 

Located on East Erie street in Kent, Peace, Love & Little Donuts offers a fun, groovy atmosphere with tie-dye and psychedelic designs around the building. 

Open seven days a week, Peace, Love & Little Donuts is the spot for those looking for a “far out” sweet treat.