Mother-and-daughter duo D.J. and Brandi Morris have spent the past five years delighting kids of all ages with their Lil Bears food trailer, known for its ice cream floats, sundaes and shaved ice served throughout the warmer months. So why the name Lil Bears?
“Bears hibernate during the winter,” D.J. said. “And that’s what we usually do — but not this winter. This year we are opening a Cookie Jar.”
The weekend after Thanksgiving, the Cookie Jar, 251 Front St. in Monument’s old train depot complex, welcomed customers searching for sweet treats, including cookies, brownies and fudge.
Most of the cookies are currently baked in the commercial kitchen at the neighboring Coffee Cup, but the pair plan to outfit the Cookie Jar’s space for full in-house baking soon.
Along with their own baked goods, they’ve curated treats from outside vendors, including stuffed cookies, nuts, candies and popcorn. Weekend cookie-decorating classes are also in the works — watch the shop’s social media for updates.
Hours are 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Sunday. Details: 719-460-2370, tinyurl.com/3xnhbctt.

Go gluten-free
Cheba Hut–Toasted Subs locations in Colorado are testing a new gluten-free bread option as an add-on in all sandwich sizes. Denver-based Udi’s bakery buns are offered at an additional charge depending on size. According to press material, this test is local to Colorado only, selected because the state consistently ranks high in gluten awareness and requests for alternatives. For locations in Colorado Springs visit chebahut.com.

Red Leg suds, pizza & subs
Red Leg Brewing Company, 2323 Garden of the Gods Road, is the new home for Pies & Grinders in the outdoor campus of the suds shop. It’s the fourth location for the locally owned pizza and sandwich shop. In addition to handcrafted pizzas, the menu offers wings and appetizers. Pies & Grinders hours at the brewery are noon-8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, noon-9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and noon-7 p.m. Sundays. Visit tinyurl.com/yc3pyxp3.

K-POP take over
JINYA Ramen Bar, 402 S. Nevada Ave., is heating things up with new Winter Chef’s Specials, and has scored a deal to feature a limited-edition keepsake ramen soup spoon inspired by Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba characters.
The seasonal specialty dishes, available through Feb. 28, are Tokyo Yatai Classic (chicken broth with pork chashu, a seasoned egg, spinach, green onion, chopped onion and a slice of Naruto-Japanese fish cake, served with thin noodles and garnished with crisp nori) and Crispy Chicken Wings (wings tossed in Asian sweet-sour sauce and garnished with cabbage, cilantro and chile slices).
Listen up Demon hunter fans: Order Tokyo Yatai Classic and score one of three limited-edition ramen spoons featuring Demon Slayer characters: Tanjiro Kamado, Zenitsu Agatsuma or Inosuke Hashibara. Why stop with one? Try to collect the set of three. The spoons are available at the Colorado Springs JINYA Ramen Bar while supplies last.
Spoiler alert: The spoons come in a black box and you won’t know which action figure will be featured on the spoon. Take your chances if you dare.
Hours are 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Details: 719-755-4485, tinyurl.com/3uwtyn3c.