After 95 years in business, one of the oldest donut shops in the Denver area, Tasty Donuts, is expanding by opening a second location. The original shop, established in 1929 in what is now Commerce City, has leased 1,600 square feet at the South Lowry Marketplace shopping center located at 7150 Leetsdale Drive in Denver.
Owner Maynor Ventura expressed optimism about the new site, stating, “This place is going to be a good testing ground for us because even though it’s a modern building, it’s not gonna look new and trendy.” He aims to maintain the shop’s signature flavors across both locations.
The new space was previously occupied by a Dairy Queen. The lease was facilitated by Axio Commercial Real Estate brokers Brian Frank and John Livaditis for the landlord, while Zahra Behfar of Equity Colorado represented Ventura.
Ventura, who took over Tasty Donuts in 2019, plans to recreate the nostalgic atmosphere of the original shop. This includes installing replica signage and a signature red striped awning at the new location. He hopes to open by February, contingent on permit approvals and remodeling.
A significant consideration for Ventura is sourcing equipment. He intends to purchase mostly older machines that align with the original shop’s standards. Initially, he may need to transport donuts from the original location during early morning hours to ensure fresh products are available for the 5 a.m. opening.
Reflecting on his experience, Ventura noted, “Everything was so much simpler back then,” referring to a vintage mixer that has been part of Tasty Donuts since the 1960s. He emphasized his commitment to consistency: “Same product. Same time.”
Renovations are not new for Tasty Donuts. When Ventura acquired the business five years ago, it was struggling. The shop had seen better days under two previous families who owned it since its inception. Ventura undertook significant restoration efforts, revitalizing both the storefront and menu.
Ventura has preserved the original recipe from 1929, which he mastered through an intensive training program with previous owners. He stated, “At most places it’s just fried dough with sugar on top. Not us. Our donuts are good from inside-out.”
When he took over, there were no employees; now he employs six people, four of whom work full-time.
This venture marks Ventura’s first foray into restaurant ownership. Growing up in Guatemala, he worked in his parents’ bakery and credits his mother for inspiring his entrepreneurial spirit. After moving to Los Angeles in the early 1980s and running a laundromat with his brother, he fell in love with Colorado during a ski trip in 1999.
Ventura eventually settled in Commerce City with his wife in 2004 and frequently visited Tasty Donuts. He recognized its strong community ties and history as key reasons for wanting to take over.
Looking ahead, Ventura sees potential for further expansion of Tasty Donuts while honoring its legacy. He has received requests from customers urging him to open a location in Arvada and plans to explore this possibility soon.
As Ventura continues his journey with Tasty Donuts, he remains dedicated to preserving its cherished traditions while adapting to new opportunities.
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