Is the Doughnut Craze in Charlotte Coming to an End?

Is the Doughnut Craze in Charlotte Coming to an End?

Charlotte, known for its vibrant food scene and sweet treats, is currently facing a tough time in the world of doughnuts. In recent months, multiple beloved doughnut shops have been closing their doors, leaving fans and food lovers scratching their heads. Are we seeing the peak of the doughnut shop trend, or is there hope for these local gems?

Not All is Lost for Local Doughnut Shops

While the closures of places like the vegan-friendly Pepperbox Doughnuts have raised alarms among fans, local business owners are quick to reassure those who love their doughnuts. They insist that even while some shops close, there is still potential for those remaining to thrive. But here’s the catch: community support is vital to help keep these shops alive.

The Recent Before and After

The heart of the matter became evident when Pepperbox Doughnuts announced the closure of its South End location, effective October 31st. The owners shared in a heartfelt Instagram post about a “drastic drop” in sales over the past two years. Earlier this year, their NoDa location also shut its doors due to mounting operational costs. With each closure, customers lamented the loss of another familiar fixture in their community. It seems that this trend is a shared concern everywhere, not just among doughnut shops.

The Competitors Are Changing the Game

Local shop owners have expressed concern over these back-to-back closures. B.A.D owner Jasmine “Jazz” Macon admitted she was initially “alarmed” at the sight of competitors closing. “It’s difficult to staff consistently, it’s difficult when revenue is low, and it’s just a tough environment overall,” said Jamie Brown, co-owner of Reigning Doughnuts.

What’s Causing These Closures?

One major factor looming over these business closures is the sharp rise in ingredient costs. For instance, a case of 30 dozen eggs can set you back around $81, while four gallons of milk come in at about $23. Even a 36-pound case of butter is around $155. These prices are definitely not gentle on a doughnut shop’s budget!

If you rewind to earlier this year, the owner of Your Mom’s Donuts, Courtney Ahern, cited inflation as a significant challenge that faced her shops, stating that they would have to raise prices from about $2.50-$4 per doughnut up to $8 just to break even. Yikes!

New Sheriffs in Town!

Interestingly, while some shops are closing, others are bravely opening their doors, hoping to tap into Charlotte’s sweet tooth. Just recently, the Gastonia-based Yummm Donuts announced its expansion into the Charlotte area, and national chains like The Salty Donut are setting up shop with new locations around town. It looks like there are new flavors coming to town, even during this challenging time!

Let’s Rally Our Local Shops!

What Lies Ahead?