Back Bay getting almost late-night cookies

The Zoning Board of Appeal today approved a Clarendon Street location for Insomnia Cookies, which, since this is the Back Bay we're talking about, won't be open as late as the chain's other branches in less heavy-lidded areas such as BU and Harvard Square.

The proposed outlet at 220 Clarendon St, between Newbury and Boylston streets, would be open from 11 a.m. or noon until midnight, Melissa Brotschul, the company's store development manager, told the board. The BU and Harvard Square outlets serve cookies until 1 a.m on weekdays, 3 a.m. on weekends. A downtown branch is open until midnight on weekdays and 1 a.m. on weekends.

The proposal, which relies more heavily on deliveries than walk-in trade, still needs the approval of the Boston Licensing Board.

"Are your cookies creating insomnia or solving insomnia?" board Chairman Mark Erlich asked.

"We like to think a little of both," Brotschul said. "Our cookies have a lot of sugar in them."