>> 8 must-try doughnuts in Dayton
Duck Donuts’ UD location will be only the second store in Ohio for the Harrisburg, PA-based chain that got its start in North Carolina’s Outer Banks. A location in the Polaris Center in suburban Columbus opened in December.
Plans call for adding two more Duck Donuts locations in the Dayton area over the next 18 months, Roberts said. Franchise owners are close to finalizing a deal for a second location, he said.
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The 1,240-square-foot Brown Street space previously housed Bad Frog Yogurt, which closed in October 2016. The retail and dining strip also includes restaurants such as Zombie Dogs, Bibibop, Fusian and PotBelly Sandwiches.
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Duck Donuts’ concept allows customers to customize their own doughnut, using a vanilla cake doughnut that is made fresh — “dropped into the fryer when you walk in the door,” Roberts said. Customers then choose their icings, sprinkles and other toppings.
That build-your-own, made-to-order concept is similar to that of District 6 Donuts, which opened two weeks ago at 6 Oakwood Ave., just a half-mile up the street from the future Duck Donuts location. District 6 is an independent shop launched by retired Dayton police officer Bill Parsons and his family.
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Roberts said he is confident that Duck Donuts will do well despite the competition.
“The Columbus location has been very successful — people will stand in line for its doughnuts at various times of the day,” Roberts said. “And it’s the best product out there. I eat a lot of doughnuts, and they are the best doughnuts I’ve ever had.”
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For more information or to track the progress of Duck Donuts' UD store, check out the Duck Donuts (Dayton, OH) Facebook page.
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