And here's one of them: The Spudnut Shop.
What's that – you've never heard of Spudnuts?
Well, it was a very popular national chain of donut shops that used potato flour. The first store opened in 1940, and by 1946 the concept was being franchised. (Here's a link to the Wiki entry that explains the history of the chain.)
The Lorain shop opened in November 1950 and was established by Michael and Jo Moldovan.
The donuts with the potato base had their devoted fans. My mother remembers them as being very good.
The Lorain store lasted until around 1956. Then its address – 120 Eighth Street – disappeared in the 1957 directory.
Although the Spudnuts parent company closed around 1980, there are still individual stores that remain open. There's one in Berea, and one out in Mentor too. Here's the list of stores that are still open. And here's another website with a directory and plenty of interesting tidbits and links about the chain.
You can also buy Original Spudnut™Mix on this blog.
I had no idea they were a chain, and that there are still so many around. I've always been a fan of the one here in Berea. Not only does he have those incredible donuts, but he also has hot dogs and those old memorable Higbee's Malteds that we used enjoy at the bottom of the escalator at the downtown Cleveland location.
ReplyDeleteThe Berea location is at the corner of Sprague Rd and Prospect St (Rt 237) near the Turnpike HQ Bldg.
Michael and Jo Moldovan were my father and mother. I have pictures of the shop on 8th street. Many memories!!!
ReplyDeletePraise God you are still alive Mr. Spudnuts. haha Sorry, I'm excited because my husband's grandfather, William Skaggs, was the advertiser that created Mr. Spudnuts. If there is any way possible that I could buy this from you, please contact me; or if you know anyone that can sell. Would you happen to have anything from the Skaggs Grocery store, too? My husband's great grandfather, O.P. Skaggs, was the original owner of the Skaggs Grocery stores and their products. My husband would probably cry, because he'd be so overwhelmed with gratitude, if he were able to hold in his hands a piece of his family's history (particularly these two men), because it means so much to him. He loved them both very much.
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