In late 2025, Starrlee Rogers of Urbana decided to make her loved ones’ Christmas season a little sweeter with gift boxes of homemade cookies.
Eight flavors, 400-plus cookies and one January pregnancy later, Rogers found herself in need of a creative outlet that would mesh well with being a stay-at-home mom.
“I remembered the 400 cookies that I made in December, and it just went from there,” she said.
Inspired by her holiday-baking extravaganza, Rogers has created a new cottage operation called Sugar, Spice and Starlight.
Every week, she’ll announce a new menu with six different cookies. Cookie boxes will then be available to pre-order at sugarspiceandstarlight.com for a limited time.
“There will only be a limited amount available of each box since I am just a cottage baker baking from home with a daughter,” Rogers said.
Menu announcements will typically come out every Tuesday, with cookie box orders available for pick-up at local parks the following Saturday. Delivery will also be available in Champaign-Urbana for a fee.
Every week’s box will include Rogers’ frosted sugar cookie and chocolate chunk cookie in addition to more unique varieties from her rotating menu.
Her first line-up, which was announced last weekend for pick-up on Aug. 1, also featured a vanilla sandwich cookie, a triple chocolate cookie, a strawberry lemonade cookie and a s’mores cookie.
“I really like to challenge myself with making the new flavors,” Rogers said. “One of the things that I liked the most about making my Christmas cookie boxes was having that variety.”
She also enjoys the idea of giving customers “new flavors to look forward to every week.”
Rogers has over 30 flavors lined up as she plans out her menu schedule for the next year. The list includes pumpkin spice and buttered pecan, as well as a recipe she simply referred to as the “purple people-eater cookie.”
“That one I’m probably most excited for people to try,” she said.
They know how to pick ’em
The TV show “American Pickers” has announced plans to film episodes in Illinois this September.
“If you or someone you know has a unique item, story to tell, and is ready to sell, we would love to hear from you!” production officials said.
Individuals with private collections who are interested in being featured can reach out to the show at 646-493-2184 or AmericanPickers@cineflix.com.
Messages should include the individual’s full name, city and state, phone number, and a brief description of the collection that includes photos and a location.
The show, which airs on The History Channel, is looking for the following items in particular:
- Motorcycles and scooters
- Old signs and advertising
- Vintage toys
- Oil and gas station items
- Pedal cars and bicycles
- Early furniture
- Vending machines
- Pinball and jukeboxes
- Folk art
- Military items
- Taxidermy
- Unusual collections
Production officials added that the show does not feature stores, flea markets, malls, auction businesses, museums or “anything open to the public.”
Realty firm acquires former AMT building
Green Street Realty purchased the old Advanced Medical Transport building at 408 S. Neil St. in Champaign through an LLC for $2.5 million in late June, according to county tax records.
“The 17,170 sq foot building will serve as the new headquarters for Green Street Realty Maintenance Dept,” the realty firm shared on its website. “The space has a combination of warehouse and office space to meet our growing needs.”
The property’s previous owner was Shapland Realty.
Urbana strip mall for sale
The Five Points Shopping Center, located at 510 N. Cunningham Ave., is on the market with an asking price of $2.2 million.
According to a listing from Guth and Associates on crexi.com, the center includes about 22,500 square feet across 14 suites and is at 78 percent occupancy. Suites 7, 8 and 9 are listed as available for lease.
Five Point’s current tenants include La Mixteca Restaurant, El Oasis, San Miguel Panaderia, Boost Mobile, Ashar African Market, La Morenita Mexican Store, Ruby’s, and Total Wireless.
