Parlor Doughnuts, located on Harper Avenue in St. Clair Shores, is igniting local competition by offering doughnuts in school colors. They feature white and blue sprinkles for Lakeview High School and black and red sprinkles for Lakeshore High School, two of the three high schools in the area. The shop also sells branded merchandise, including T-shirts showcasing a water skier on Lake St. Clair.
The excitement surrounding this “craft doughnut shop” stems from its focus on the local community and the unique qualities of its doughnuts. Parlor Doughnuts employs a layering technique that creates a golden, crispy exterior with a light, airy interior. This results in a chewy texture reminiscent of croissants. The doughnuts are so fluffy that they often lack a traditional hole in the middle.
Owner Sean Gowdy, who also operates Jet’s Pizza and Tropical Smoothie Cafe in the area, describes the doughnuts as “buttery and crispy on the outside and light and fluffy on the inside.” He is expanding the Parlor Doughnuts brand, with plans for a second location near the Grosse Pointe Woods border. “It’s a new franchise, and we just got in on the bottom floor,” he explains. Currently, there are about 60 Parlor Doughnuts locations nationwide, with plans for 60 more.
The shop offers around 20 gourmet flavors, including French toast, cookies and cream, campfire (with marshmallows and chocolate), churro, turtle cheesecake, raspberry pistachio, and maple bacon. Each doughnut costs $3.45, or $2.45 each when you order a dozen or more. The French toast doughnut, in particular, is popular for its blend of maple, cinnamon, and powdered sugar. Gowdy also recommends the Lakeview High School doughnut, which features sweet vanilla icing and the school’s colors.
In addition to traditional options, Parlor Doughnuts provides vegan, gluten-friendly, and keto-friendly doughnuts. They also offer “pawlor doughnuts,” dog treats made with oats, flaxseed, eggs, bacon grease, and a hint of maple syrup.
Coffee plays a significant role at Parlor Doughnuts, which began as a coffee shop. Co-founders Darrick Hayden and Josh Tudela launched their first coffee venture in 2015 and opened Parlor Doughnuts in 2019. Each location serves a gourmet coffee selection, including drip coffee, lattes, cold brew, espresso, matcha, and cortados. The menu also features breakfast items like sausage biscuits, chorizo breakfast tacos, avocado toast, and acai bowls.
Seasonal flavors are a highlight as well. As apple, cinnamon, and pumpkin flavors fade, new Thanksgiving and Christmas varieties will soon arrive. On Halloween, the shop will give a free spooky-themed doughnut to children 12 and younger who come in costume, available until 4 p.m.
Parlor Doughnuts has four locations in Michigan: 30128 Harper in St. Clair Shores, 47127 Van Dyke in Shelby Township, 1176 S. Lapeer in Orion Township, and 11355 S. Sagina in Grand Blanc. A fifth location is set to open soon at 21431 Greater Mack in St. Clair Shores, in a space previously occupied by a fitness studio.
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