After 32 years, local doughnut-shop owner sold business to his former employee

The long-time owner of a local doughnut shop is in the process of selling his business to one of his former employees who already has more than a year-and-a-half of experience of running his own bakery.

Mike Hemmert, owner of the Donut Haus at 305 W. Central Ave. in Springboro for 32 years, has reached an agreement to sell the store to Ryan and Danielle Tripp of Springboro, who founded Bear Creek Donuts in Miamisburg in April 2016. Ryan Tripp worked for Hemmert at the Donut Haus for eight years, starting when he was 14.

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“When you work passionately and put your heart and soul into something this long, it’s so important, when it’s time to retire and ‘pass the baton,’ to not only find a qualified buyer, but to find someone that you feel will carry that passion and sales-building on,” Hemmert told this news outlet this morning. “Ryan is the perfect candidate. With Ryan, I have no concerns that the Donut Haus will be around long after I am gone.”

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Hemmert said he and Tripp “have had a transitional plan in place with our sales contract, and he has been working six to 10 hours a week for the past year at my shop to prepare” for the transition.

“I have enjoyed being an employer to over 1,000 young people in the past 32 years, offering them their first opportunity at employment,” Hemmert said. “I have worked with them to teach teamwork, people skills, the value of a strong work ethic and loyalty.”

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“I will miss all of that, along with the the day-to-day relationships with my customers. Giving back to the Springboro community which has been so good to me and my business has been a priority through the years.

Hemmert, who had five grandchildren and a sixth on the way, said he is looking forward to spending more time with his family, and may also pursue another opportunity related to the baking industry.

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Tripp is familiar with the Springboro community. He is a 2010 Springboro High School graduate who holds a degree in Neuroscience and Behavioral Physiology from Wright State University.

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