Grandad’s Donuts to close for renovations as business is ‘bursting at the seams’

An iconic Hamilton doughnut shop will temporarily close this winter - but fret not, it's for good reason.

Back in August, Grandad's Donuts owner Barb Aiello announced on social media that she would be shutting down shop this coming January to make way for a full renovation of the iconic North End business.

The retro doughnut stylings of the James Street North institution have an almost cultlike following, and Aiello told The Spectator that business at the shop has her bursting at the seams."

Grandad's Donuts opened in 2007, and since then has become famous for its offerings that include classics such as the sugar twist, walnut crunch and cherry stick.

Aiello even made an appearance on the show Donut Showdown nearly a decade ago. And her doughnuts were named winner of the #CityDish competition by Spectator readers in 2017.

It's been a really good little business," she said. But I can't produce enough doughnuts to serve the entire city."

And the pandemic is partially to blame with the increasing popularity, said Aiello.

As folks were locked down and unable to see one another, her customers began buying several dozen worth of doughnuts to drop off to family and friends.

Once life began to open up again, Aiello found herself with a ton of new customers - some coming all the way from Toronto, Ottawa and Niagara to get their own fill of her iconic doughnuts.

But there was one problem, she said.

They'd drive all the way here and I'd be sold out already," said Aiello. I sell out every day by three o'clock, sometimes by noon."

As it currently stands, Aiello said her bakers - who make the doughnuts by hand each day - produce an average of 5,000 doughnuts daily, all depending on how busy it is.

And even then, it's not enough.

Aiello said the currently capacity limit has also created problems for hiring, as the operating hours began to fluctuate based on how quickly doughnuts were flying off the racks. She has also had to turn away catering opportunities.

Aiello floated the idea of opening a second location, but the cost of rent for vacant retail properties in the city was too high to make it worthwhile.

So, she opted to look inwards, landing on the decision to renovate her existing space, which has seen very little change in the last four decades.

Aiello said the renovations - which are expected to last between six and eight weeks - will see the iconic doughnut shop completely revamped.

Both her kitchen and display cases will double in size, while her long-standing dine-in seating will become stools at the window. There will also be an express pickup window installed at the side of the building, and the washroom will be fully accessible.

The walls of the shop will be decorated with her plaques as well as photos of beloved staff and longtime customers.

The vibe is going to be the same," said Aiello, noting that the classic Grandad's orange will stay. But it's going to have a little modern twist to it."

Aiello is hopeful that her loyal customers and fans will hold on tight" while the shop is closed, noting that shutting down completely wasn't her first choice.

She has faith it will all go as planned and her customers will understand that the expansion will allow her to service the entire city better."

It's been a long life of doughnuts," said Aiello. And my customers have always looked after me."

Fallon Hewitt is a reporter at The Spectator. fhewitt@thespec.com