Brooklyn Park Goes Nuts for Doughnuts
In Brooklyn Park these days, a dozen donuts is not enough. It’s all about a bag – or bucket – of mini donuts. Phil Lawrence is suddenly famous because of his sweet treats. Lawrence is cashing in thanks to a recent Facebook post that raved about his delicious donuts being sold in the Fleet Farm parking lot. It’s caused a sugar high in the city.
“They literally melt in your mouth,” said Joanna Gurley of Brooklyn Park. “They’re hot. Scrumptious.”
Lawrence has sold mini donuts for 15 years. A couple weeks ago he parked his mini donut trailer in the shadow of Fleet Farm’s familiar silo. When news reached the net, his business began to boom.
“Somebody started posting about these donuts,” said Paige Myers from CEAP. “Everyone was posting photos. The police department came out and got donuts.”
Since then people have been raving about Lawrence’s mini donuts. Even on a cold December day, they brave the elements to show up and get some doughy delights starting at 5 bucks a bag.
“Oh my goodness,” said a customer who bought a $16 bucket. “It’s an explosion of taste in your mouth. It’s going to be gone by the time I get home.”
Despite his growing popularity, Lawrence is not seeking the limelight. “It’s all about you guys,” Lawrence said. “The web page. The web people. Facebook. I don’t even know who that guy is.”
State Fair-like scene
On Saturday, a parade of donut-lovers showed up to buy some tasty treats. It was a State Fair-like scene.
“We expect to see him at the Great Minnesota Get Together,” Gurley said.. “Here we’re having the great Brooklyn Park get together, all because of these mini donuts.”
“We’re coming after you Sweet Martha,” joked Cody Jacobsen of Hopper’s Mini Donuts. Jacobsen spent 14 years working for Lawrence before striking out on his own. Saturday, he set up his trailer a few feet from Lawrence’s to absorb some of the weekend sugar rush.
“Everybody thought I was getting on his turf,” Jacobsen said. “He said no come on down, it’s going to be busy, it’s going to be awesome.”
The donut craze also had a positive impact on CEAP. The charity teamed up with Lawrence to collect food and clothing items.
“He’s really brought the community together with his donuts,” Gurley said.
