Donut competition heats up

By Kurt Munz-Raper

STAFF WRITER

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CLOVIS — Things are getting much sweeter in Clovis.

The town has seen a new trend of donut shops opening. One has only recently opened its doors, one is on the way, while another is in a new phase of transition.

They all have one thing in common, besides selling donuts of course. They all emphasize fresh product and friendly, community-oriented customer service.

The 30-year Daylight Donuts establishment is in a state of transition as new manager Megan Martinez is picking up the torch from previous manager Matt Acker.

“We had lived here our whole lives,” said Martinez. “My dad was in the military. We have a heart for the community. We’re excited to continue to serve the community.”

Acker agreed the timing was right for the transition.

“She’s like the perfect person, because she worked down there 15 years,” said Acker. “This transition, we’ve been talking about it for a long time. I’m just proud that you’ve got someone to carry the business. To just close the business, I’ve never wanted to do that.”

Martinez said there will be change while also maintaining familiarity.

“I want to keep things the same in the sense that people like the same things,” said Martinez. “We’re gonna do some painting to brighten things up, with decor on one side of the building, vintage.”

Other changes include exploring gluten-free and vegan options, aiming for a more family-friendly atmosphere and changing employee hours to make sure donuts are consistently made fresh.

The similarities, Martinez said, naturally deal with customer service.

“It was really important to me as an employee to develop a good relationship with the customers,” said Martinez. “I want to make sure that atmosphere is the same. They’re coming in for breakfast and that atmosphere can affect their entire day.”

“She really has the commitment,” said Acker. “She knows a lot of the customers.”

Commitment is something Donut City on the 700 block of East 21st Street, which opened in November, takes pride in as well.

“I try to make more options and change the flavor,” said Manager Chet Neang. “With the fresh donuts, I try to make more quality for the customers.”

Neang said he ran a donut shop in Mississippi and thought about expanding in Clovis.

“The population over here, over 40,000, before they only got one option. It’s not enough,” said Neang. “The main thing I have to do is improve, improve my quality.”

The expansion has paid off, Neang said, because of the support he receives from customers, whom he observed eat more donuts as opposed to in Mississippi, where breakfast sandwiches are most popular.

“I’m confident with my sale,” said Neang. “A lot of customers comment on Facebook. The customers said my donuts are good. A lot of customers try to support me. My Donut City goal for the future, I try to make everything a good deal for the customer.”

Customer interaction is what motivated Muleshoe Donuts Owner Kim Kea to start My Time Donuts in Clovis.

Her brother, Dararithy Kea, will manage the shop.

“We get customers (from) there, and they always want us to go over there,” said Kim Kea. “A lot of my customers, they usually go to Lubbock. They always stop here, and they like the donuts. It’s very exciting. I love to see the customers.”

“I’ve been thinking about it too, and I am young, and I’d be able to serve their customers right,” said Dararithy Kea. “I love doing business with people who come in the morning, because they are just ready to go to work.”

Dararithy Kea said 80 percent of his time will be at My Time with the hopes of expanding if it proves successful.

“We’re expecting for our customers to get fresh, hot donuts, a smiley face out and good relationships,” said Dararithy Kea. “The judgment is our customer.”

The Kea siblings said they hope to open in February or March of next year next to Sprint and Snappy Tomatoes, while Daylight Donuts’ grand opening with Martinez as manager is 9 a.m. Jan. 27.