Sweet success: Donut Love sells out in three hours at grand opening in Newmarket

NEWMARKET — Donut Love celebrated the grand opening of its latest location Tuesday, selling nearly 600 donuts within the first three hours.

By 11 a.m., all donuts sold out, leaving a few whoopie pies and cupcakes behind for customers who missed the morning rush.

“There was a line out the door at 7:30 a.m. when we opened,” said Madelyn Dignam, the marketing manager for Donut Love. “Newmarket has been such a great community to us already on the first day.”

The Newmarket store, located between Kume restaurant and Deciduous Brewing Company, is Donut Love’s first expansion under new owners Goodwin Family Management, who also own The Friendly Toast.

Donut Love, founded by former North Hampton police officer Mike Oliveira in 2017, has existing stores in Exeter and North Hampton.

Dignam said the idea for the Newmarket location came up in the fall and was the perfect next step in the company’s vision to expand its footprint.

Tyler Goodwin, chief operating officer of Goodwin Family Management, previously said the hope was for Donut Love to compete with other breakfast places like Starbucks and Dunkin’ for a place in people’s morning routine.

“We started to hear a lot of people coming into Exeter actually lived in Newmarket, so we thought we had a following in this community,” added Dignam. “There was an opening, and we took advantage of it.”

Previous story: Donut Love owners have big plans on Seacoast to compete with Dunkin', Starbucks

Donuts and baked goods made fresh daily

James Keegan, the operations manager, said Donut Love sold over 42 dozen donuts between 7:30 and 10:30 a.m. Tuesday. The store ran out of Boston cream first, followed by its monthly special cinnamon sugar and later chocolate frosted donuts.

Although known for its donuts, the store also offers other treats, both sweet and savory. From cinnamon rolls and scones to breakfast pies and frittatas, Keegan said “every single aspect is done from scratch.”

The store also offers various gluten-free and vegan options.

“We get up at 2 o’clock in the morning, and we start rolling out the dough, we make everything from scratch,” he said. “We use high-quality ingredients, we zest the lemons for our lemon glaze, our Bavarian cream, we slowly stir for over 30-40 minutes… our raspberry filling we’re boiling and baking that down…”

Fire and Spice Bistro gets new home: Why owners are leaving Newfields for Dover

Donut Love aims to give back to the community

Eric Goodwin of Goodwin Family Management said part of the company’s priority “is to be integrated into our communities” and be an engaging partner in towns where the stores are located.

Dignam said that is why they are donating part of the store’s first-day proceeds to the Newmarket Recreational Center.

“They help everybody in the community with enrichment and learning and growing, so we wanted to give back to them,” she said.

Part of the morning rush included a line of 26 kids from the Newmarket Recreation Center.

Aimee Gigandet, the town’s recreation director, said it was a coincidence that Donut Love’s grand opening was during the February school vacation week. She said they brought the kids to participate as a mini-field trip.

“It was a good connection for the Recreation Department because we deal with a lot of kids, and kids love donuts,” she said.

Outback Steakhouse: Seabrook location is one of 41 restaurants on the chopping block

Olivia Daher, 5, ordered a glazed donut with sprinkles and gave it a 10 out of 10. She said she was already planning a return trip to Donut Love.

Mikaela Demers, 8, was such a fan of Donut Love that she colored a picture of a donut when she returned to the Recreation Center.

She said her favorite part of the day was bringing her Beanie Baby, Zip the Black Cat, on the trip. And the donut? “Delicious,” she said.

Gigandet, a Newmarket resident for more than two decades, said Donut Love filled a missing piece in the town's food options. She said until now, she always had to get donuts out of town.

“Downtown has definitely just revived, so many more food opportunities all within walking distance,” she said.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Donut Love opens Newmarket, NH location