Dinwiddie-based Mrs. Yoder's Kitchen in a pickle: Mennonite family business shut down for now
DINWIDDIE - Due to circumstances beyond their control, Mrs. Yoder's Kitchen shut down its operations. Until management issues are resolved, fans in the Metro-Richmond area will have to wait to purchase their favorite donuts.
On Friday, Yoder's thanked Facebook and Instagram friends for their past support and informed them about their current dilemma.
There was a bit of confusion as to the meaning behind Yoder's statement. Many fans were worried and expressed how they will miss visiting Yoder's donut trucks at various locations.
Some followers thought Yoder's post was an early April Fools' joke while Deandra Williams took it seriously and refused Yoder's resignation.
Thinking a vending location was needed, fan Lauren offered her driveway to the Yoder's to sell their authentically hand-formed sourdough glazed donuts.
Fans commented well wishes to the Yoder's team, and others stated they were on their knees praying for a peaceful and amicable resolution.
As of Monday afternoon, fans posted 447 comments on Facebook @mrsyoderskitchen and 76 on Instagram @mrsyoderskitchen.
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Mrs. Yoder's Kitchen
Due to the overwhelming response from faithful customers, Yoder's provided an explanation for its decision to shut down.
Mrs. Yoder's Kitchen was formerly owned by Judy and Jay Yoder who started the truck-based business in 2011. In 2016, they relocated to Pennsylvania to care for a family member.
The current owners Lucas Miller of Brunswick and his brother-in-law Samuel Amaya of Dinwiddie bought the business in April of 2017 after returning to this area from a church mission in Nicaragua.
Part of the Mennonite community, the Miller and Amaya families have operated and expanded Yoder's ever since.
Nicaraguan mission
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"Now, we have been called to serve once again in Nicaragua under the mission group Christian Aid Ministries, based out of Berlin, Ohio," Yoder's statement said.
Leaving in June, The Miller family plans to be administrators for a Pastors Discipleship Center in the outskirts of Nicaragua's capital Managua, and the Amaya family plans to leave in May to be administrators of a clinic in northern Nicaragua.
In October of 2021, Yoder's began looking for someone with a passion to continue making their tasty treats. They discovered a family that was interested in acquiring the business to continue the tradition.
"It has been a lengthy process to try and get this switched over, and now, due to some conflict in their family, they have returned the business back to us," Yoder's statement said. "We are in the process of deciding what our next step should be."
In 2021, Mrs. Yoder's Kitchen was featured in the "Food and Wine" magazine for making the best donuts in the entire state of Virginia.
As the Miller and Amaya families search for someone to carry on Yoder's legacy, they are asking loyal patrons to be patient and to watch for updates.
— Kristi K. Higgins aka The Social Butterfly columnist is the trending topics and food Q&A reporter at The Progress-Index. Have a news tip on local trends or businesses? Contact Kristi (she, her) at khiggins@progress-index.com, follow @KHiggins_PI on Twitter, @socialbutterflykristi on Instagram, and subscribe to us at progress-index.com.
This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Dinwiddie-based Mrs. Yoder's Kitchen shuts down until further notice
