Swillerbees Craft Donuts Opens Third Location in Ormond Beach, Sells 300 Donuts on First Day.
On its first day of operation in Ormond Beach, Swillerbees Craft Donuts sold approximately 300 donuts, all before noon. The new location, situated at 200 E. Granada Blvd., marks the third store for the Wehde family, who own and operate the business.
Dakota Wehde, a Palm Coast resident and co-owner of Swillerbees alongside his parents, Mike and Holly Wehde, noted that a line had formed outside the bakery as early as 5:40 a.m. The Ormond Beach location represents the family’s expansion into the Volusia market, an area Dakota described as having a unique, close-knit community feel similar to that of Flagler.
“This community has such a unique feel, much like Flagler has its unique feel,” Dakota Wehde said. “Just being here, you can really feel how close-knit this community is, and we’re really excited to be a part of that.”
The Wehde family acquired the Swillerbees store in Flagler Beach three years ago and opened a second location in Palm Coast last year. They also own the Waffle Cone ice cream shop in Flagler Beach.
The Ormond Beach storefront had been vacant since January, when Donnie’s Donuts closed to consolidate operations at its One Daytona location. The Wehde family was approached by the building’s landlords, leading to the opening of Swillerbees in Ormond Beach.
To prepare the new location, the Wehdes transformed the space, rebuilding and rearranging counters to create a more spacious seating area. They installed new flooring and added a children’s play area, complete with toy donuts. The Ormond Beach location also features a drive-thru.
After opening the Palm Coast Swillerbees last year and a new Waffle Cone store in Jacksonville, Mike Wehde mentioned that he and his wife were planning to enter “rest mode.” However, their son Dakota was motivated to continue expanding the business.
“We just love what God’s doing through Dakota and through this new team, and watching the new team come together,” Mike Wehde said. “That’s a big part of what we do and what Dakota does well too, is bringing culture with teams. We’re not just serving donuts and breakfast sandwiches. We’re creating a great culture, where people feel loved, valued, and known.”
This focus on culture is central to Swillerbees’ operations. “We really believe in loving our employees,” Holly Wehde added. “We love them first, and then it trickles over onto the customers.”
Natalia Kurdziel, the Ormond Beach store manager, has been working with the Wehdes for five years, starting at the Flagler Beach Waffle Cone. She described the experience of opening the new Swillerbees location as surreal.
“The other day, we were just in here making sure everything was prepared, and last night, we were leaving and I was like, ‘Wow, I get to actually come in here and work tomorrow,'” Kurdziel said. “I get to meet who’s going to become our new regulars. I get to see how the new equipment works. It’s been really exciting.”
Since participating in the Taste of Ormond event in May, Dakota Wehde noted that the community’s enthusiasm for Swillerbees has been palpable.
“We can’t wait to also integrate ourselves more and more with the community and make them feel loved, valued, and known,” he said.
Swillerbees in Ormond Beach is open daily from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.