On Feb. 23 Brian and Amy Detwiler opened Mansion Donut Company downtown. The Detwilers believe they were led spiritually to open a donut shop.

“We didn’t aspire to open a doughnut shop. We were at a service at our church, and we were told that God was breathing life into a business opportunity for us,” B. Detwiler said. “In May 2021, I was at a meeting where there was a pastor, and we started talking about a doughnut shop, Peace, Love and Little Donuts, where Amy and I would go while we were dating. Peace, Love and Little Donuts became a barbecue place and they gave us the doughnut equipment. We got equipment and support and launched into a doughnut business.”

A. Detwiler hopes their business becomes a way to see people in the community come together.

“We really took a leap of faith. [Getting doughnuts] was something we really connected with while we were dating. But going to get doughnuts wasn’t really about the donuts as much as it was about connecting,” A. Detwiler said. “We love seeing people connect and what better way to connect than food? We were presented with an opportunity and we hopped on it.” 

The made-to-order aspect of Mansion Donut Company sets them apart from other doughnuts franchises in the area, according to B. Detwiler. 

“We have fresh doughnuts. We make new ones when they are ordered. When an order is put in, we pull one from the rack and add the toppings,” B. Detwiler said.

One of the B. Detwilers’ favorite parts of owning a doughnut shop is the new experiences they get to have.

“[My favorite part of working here] is meeting new people. We are ‘people people.’ We love meeting new people and talking to them,” B. Detwiler said. 

The Detwilers hope that the opening of Mansion Donut Company will help revive downtown. 

“I think both of us felt the restoration of downtown was something we wanted to be a part of. There were many places we could have put the doughnut shop, but something about downtown just felt special,” A. Detwiler said. 

The Detwilers feel they have a lack of staff availability and need more full time employees. 

“Our weakness right now is not being open in the morning. We cannot find employees who can work in the mornings. We have amazing college and high school employees but obviously they have school during the week,” A. Detwiler said.

Sophomore Mya Mielnik currently works at Mansion Donuts and has been with the Detwilers since the start. She started helping them with marketing and choosing logos, then became an employee.

“I have known Amy and Brian for about six years, and they are one of my family’s closest friends. When they told me they were going to be opening a doughnut shop and would need workers, I automatically told them I would love to work for them,” Mielnik said. 

Mielnik enjoys being in the environment she is in when she is working.

“My favorite part of the job is getting the opportunity to work with people who lift me up and always brighten my mood while making doughnuts and coffee,” Mielnik said.

Milenik is a part time employee. She works multiple shifts throughout the week.

“I usually get scheduled once or twice a week. Due to the shortage of full time employees, Mansion Donuts is only open three days a week at the moment. For me, once or twice a week fits into my schedule perfectly, but I cannot wait until we are open all week,” Mielnik said.