Bob’s Donuts Revisited

Two of the very first posts on this blog back in the first week of April 2009 dealt with Lorain’s beloved Bob’s Donuts. On one post, I featured my photo above of the large ‘Bob’s Donut’s’ sign painted on the side of the building facing south.

It may very well be the only existing photo of that sign.

People really miss Bob’s Donuts, even almost seventeen years after it closed in December 2002. I know I do, after stopping in there every Saturday morning for years as part of my weekly ritual.

Recently while digging around in a box of my old 35mm photographs, I found the original, uncropped photo. It provides a nice view of the signs on the pole in front of the store, as well as a glimpse of the surrounding neighborhood.

And here’s the inevitable depressing ‘now’ shot.

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Hey, did you click on the uncropped, vintage photo and take a good look at it? Off in the distance you can see the sign down the street for Forest City Auto Parts, featuring the one, the only, the long-necked... Max!

Max has been featured on this blog many times over the years. On one post, several Forest City Auto Parts employees left some great comments about how Max got his name.

Grand Opening of Bob's Donut Shop – Dec. 19, 1963

It’s hard to believe that it’s been 15 years since Bob’s Donuts closed at the end of December 2002. Judging by comments on the various Lorain social media websites, it’s still sorely missed.

Anyway, I found this the other day – the announcement of the grand opening of the new store. It ran in the Journal on December 19, 1963.

It’s interesting that the ad notes that Bob’s had already been serving Lorain County for twelve years.

You might remember that Bob’s was one of the businesses that was displaced when the John F. Kennedy Plaza public housing complex was built.

Bob's Donuts: a few more crumbs

On the day that Bob's Donuts closed for good at the end of December 2002, I made sure I stopped in for some final goodies, and to say goodbye to some of their great counter help. I remember how packed it was that day.

  They were giving away little Bob's Donut & Chicken Drive-In order books as souvenirs - and I've still got mine! (See above.)

   For a while in the 1990s, every Friday I used to bring a dozen of Bob's Donuts to where I work in Cleveland. None of my co-workers had ever heard of Bob's, and they were intrigued that the store made donuts and chicken. One of my co-workers would always come in, see the white box of donuts and ask: "Are those Bob's chicken donuts?"

Missing Bob's Donuts

After reading in the Morning Journal about the sale of the building that used to be the home of Bob's Donuts, I couldn't believe it has been more than 6 years since it closed. I still miss their great glazed fried cakes and bread. And their creme sticks. And their cruellers.

   Judging by the comments left on the Morning Journal's website, I'm not the only one that misses Bob's Donuts terribly. Wouldn't it be great if someone bought Bob's recipes and opened a new bakery?

  Until that happens, Lenny Camera made me aware of another great Lorain bakery that is still in business, Bill's Bakery at 2925 Grove Avenue. Their donuts, cookies and bread are excellent.