Jack’s Donuts Celebrates 50 Years
For three generations, Jack’s Donut Shoppe has been making donuts and rolls every day that have kept customers lining up at the door since 1961. That’s the reason the current owner, Lee Marcum, says he decided to expand to a dining room in another part of the shop’s building at 2410 S. 14th Street.
“We wanted to accommodate our customers and give them not only standing room but also a seating area where they can eat inside,” said Marcum. “We added our own line of coffee and fountain drinks and are now open evening hours. Donuts aren’t just a morning treat anymore.”
April 1, 2011 marks the fiftieth anniversary of Jack’s Donut Shoppe and products like tiger tails, carmel nut rolls and applesauce donuts have become synonymous with the local family business. Marcum is even considering bringing back the fresh made brownies and cookies that were also featured products for two and half decades.
Experience Helps Define a Famous Product
Lee’s grandparents, Jack and Ada Marcum, opened Jack’s Donut Shoppe when they purchased the south-side site, known as Bill’s Donut Shoppe 50 years ago. According to Ada, her husband, Jack, had worked at the Tasty Pastry Pie Shop in downtown New Castle during the late 40s and early 50s, and Kenny Eaton’s bakery before working at Bill’s and buying the donut shop. “He applied his experience and then perfected some of the recipes and the process that’s used today when we opened Jack’s,” she said.
It was truly a family business. Ada kept the books and all six of Jack and Ada’s children, Candy, Linda, Susan, Jack Jr., Tony and Jeff, worked at the donut shop at some time. But it was Jack Jr., Lee’s dad, who bought the business from his parents in 1979, and continued the name and products that Jack’s Donuts was known for.
Generations Working Together
When Lee started working at the donut shop at age 14, he wasn’t sure he wanted to take over the family business. His sisters, Ashley and Shannon, also worked there while they were growing up and even after college to supplement their family incomes. After getting some college classes under his belt and working at other jobs, he chose to return to the family business. “I liked the idea of owning a business and being my own boss, even though it means being on call 24-7.”
Open seven days a week can put a strain on any business, but according to Jack Jr., the best part of this family operation is the trust relationship. “Dad could always count on me, I counted on Lee and now Lee can count on me,” he said. “We had someone to rely on.”
In addition to father and son, Gary Marcum – Jack Jr.’s uncle, is also counted upon “to cut the (dough) table.” “It’s that handmade element we all learned from dad that’s included in the process that sets Jack’s Donuts apart,” added Jack Jr.
When asked why they thought people keep coming back for Jack’s Donuts, all three family members agreed. “Because they’re the best,” said Ada. “It’s the quality of a fresh donut,” added Jack and Lee said, “They like them, they know what they’re going to get and it’s consistent.”
The Next 50 Years
Jack’s Donuts has maintained a following from Henry County natives. Whenever people have moved to another area and return to New Castle, they stop by the local shop to satisfy the craving that no other donut has been able to curb. That must be why after 50 years Jack’s Donuts was voted the Courier Times Reader’s Choice Award for Best Bakery.
It’s this following and the urging of former residents and fans on the Jack’s Donuts Facebook page that has Lee looking toward the future. “We will be shipping merchandise nationwide effective late November 2011,” said Lee.
Along with shipping Jack’s Donuts will also start accepting applications for franchising in late 2011. “It seems like that needs to be the next step. For years people have been telling me that we need to expand this business and take it to the next level. It’s now that time,” said Lee.
It seems everybody has a favorite Jack’s Donut. Jack Marcum, who started it all, passed away in 1983, but he’d be happy to know that new generations of customers are lining up at the door he opened in 1961.
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