FARGO — McKayla Schicker, a third-generation baker, is following in her family’s footsteps by bringing her doughnuts to new customers. After growing up in her mother’s bakery, Bev’s Bakery and Coffee House, Schicker opened her own shop, Bev’s Donuts, in Battle Lake in June.
“I have tailored my recipes to make our doughnuts big, fluffy, and light,” said McKayla. She uses a 100-year-old recipe that has been passed down through generations. “I’ve tried to find similar recipes online, but I haven’t seen any that replicate mine.”
With the arrival of fall, business slowed in the lakes area. To adapt, McKayla took to Facebook in October to expand her reach. “If you can’t bring the people to the cruller, bring the cruller to the people,” she explained.
McKayla accepts orders through her Facebook page, delivering pre-orders to drop-off points in Fargo and Wahpeton weekly. For larger orders of five dozen or more, she offers direct delivery. Additionally, she conducts “doughnut drops” in various towns, including Perham and Detroit Lakes, each Wednesday.
Her efforts to expand delivery have proven successful. “We’re selling over 30 dozen doughnuts each day,” she noted. “That may not seem like much to others, but for a new shop making everything by hand, it’s a solid amount.”
The Schicker family has a rich history in baking. McKayla’s parents, Janet and Joe, purchased Bev’s Bakery in 2005. Janet ran the business for 17 years, with McKayla helping her mother make hundreds of thousands of doughnuts during her childhood.
“All by herself,” McKayla recalled. “There was no paid fryer at night, and I was her only help during the day.”
After closing the original Battle Lake location, McKayla opened Bev’s City Bakery in Fergus Falls in 2022. She received accolades for “best doughnuts,” “best caramel rolls,” and “best bakery” in Ottertail County. However, her plans to relocate to a larger space fell through when she discovered the building wasn’t up to code for a bakery.
In June 2023, Schicker welcomed her fifth child, prompting a reevaluation of her plans. In February, she announced a new location for her business in Hatchery Row, Battle Lake. The updated Bev’s Donuts is a 600-square-foot shop that focuses on doughnuts and homemade sweet rolls. McKayla offers about 22 daily options and rotates 20 custom flavors.
McKayla is known for her hand-chopped fritters, hand-twisted doughnuts, and Butterfinger-topped creations. What sets her doughnuts apart? “They’re handmade, and our frostings are made from scratch. This attention to detail reflects my passion for the products I offer.”
While McKayla considered opening a retail location in Fargo, she remains open to partnerships for deliveries. “I’ve looked at a few places but haven’t committed,” she stated.
In Fargo-Moorhead, Sandy’s Doughnuts is the dominant player. When asked about the possibility of competing with Sandy’s, McKayla expressed confidence in demand for more than one doughnut shop in the area. “With the population here, I believe there’s room for both businesses.”
However, she emphasized that her approach differs from that of larger bakeries. “I’m a small, woman-owned shop focused on handmade products. If I could produce 1,500 doughnuts daily by the end of 2025, that would be a significant milestone for my brand.”
To promote her doughnuts, McKayla is offering discounted prices through 2025. Customers can purchase boxes of half glazed and half of either her top sellers, chocolate flavors, or sprinkled varieties for $20. To stay updated on sales and delivery information, she encourages followers to check her Facebook page (BevsBakeryMN).
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