Great doughnuts at a reasonable price come with a rich culture.
Artwork by Kiera Classen
Twists, bars, bear claws, jelly-filled, regulars, and classics are only a few of all the choices at The Donut. Customers are able to choose from five different types of coffee, as well as juices and milks to go with their doughnuts. Most people only come for the doughnuts, but delicious gyros completed with fries and a soda are also available for lunch Monday through Friday.
The Donut, owned by Eddie and Mira Ermoyan, is a business of almost 21 years, with a very interesting legacy to boot. Lebanon is the country of origin for both Eddie and Mira; however they did not meet until they both came to America. “We left [Lebanon] because of the civil war.” Mira said.
Eddie’s family already owned doughnut shops in Colorado when he came to the U.S., so he started working right away. “We already had the shops, when we met in California,” Eddie said. Eddie came to Colorado by plane in 1973, and Mira arrived in California in 1975. Eddie came to Colorado because he already had family members here, and Mira went to California because it was easily accessible. The civil war that caused them to leave their homeland was due to religious turmoil. Muslims and Christians battled in Lebanon for more religious power in the country. Wh en Eddie decided to go on a trip to California, he met Mira. They fell in love, came back to Colorado, and eventually got married.
The couple didn’t open their own shop in Denver until 1990, but today it has been a business that has lasted almost 21 years. “It’s been a very successful business, but it’s had its ups and downs, and in the end every business just tries to survive,” said Mira. The family owned and operated shop has even been featured in The Denver Post. (http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_13883459?source=pkg)
Eddie Ermoyan and Mira Ermoyan (Kathryn Scott Osler, The Denver Post )
The Donut usually gets far more business on the weekends than the weekdays, largely based on the many kids who come with their families on Saturdays and Sundays. Because of school, kids can’t come to the shop during the week, so they provide much of the weekend business. Eddie and Mira have to bake many more doughnuts for their weekend sales, and with many doughnuts come many leftovers. “We usually have a church pick them up to help feed the homeless,” said Mira of the surplus they encounter.
Eddie and Mira have also have given birth to two children. “We have two [kids], both are college grads, and now only help us on weekends,” said Mira.
Eddie and Mira’s daughter, Ani Ermoyan, has an architectural degree from CU Boulder and a job at a Children’s Hospital. “I always loved drawing and houses as a kid.” said Ani.
Ani has worked at The Donut with her parents since she was a child, and continues to do so. “I have grown up here, and it has been like a second home. It has impacted who I am today,” said Ani. “We wanted to remodel and change the interior décor. We kind of went for a Colorado theme, with nature pictures,” said Ani, who helped decorate the shop.
The Donut is, in fact, a great doughnut shop, with an intriguing history. Coming up on its 21st anniversary, the shop has lasted through thick and thin, and has come out very successful in the process. Eddie and Mira came from a civil war-torn environment to create a family-owned and operated business in America. The doughnuts are tasty, varied, and affordable to anybody who would like them. The Donut’s location is 5270 E. Arapahoe Road Centennial, and the phone number is (303) 220-1744. Anyone looking for a sweet, affordable breakfast should visit The Donut.
