Just about a year after starting up in a somewhat out-of-the-way location along U.S. 12 just east of Edwardsburg, Divine Dough Co. has taken another growth step by opening a second spot in South Bend.
And despite the high volume of traffic that passes its new storefront at 1724 N. Ironwood Drive near the University of Notre Dame, it’s still going to take a little effort for customers to find Divine Dough the first time ― even though it’s located between Nick’s Patio and C.E. Lee Decorating Center.
It’s just one of those places that doesn’t naturally stand out.
But chances are that customers will still find the business eventually because of the freshness and quality of the doughnuts and pastries offered at Divine Dough, which gained its name from a church sermon but might get some to believe in a higher power because of the taste.
For Chad and Katie Jankoviak either of the above explanations for the business’ name is likely acceptable. After deciding to open a doughnut shop, they struggled for a name until listening to a sermon focused on divine alignment, which they believe helped put the pieces in place for the business.
For the couple, opening the business was a leap of faith because Chad had spent more than 10 years as a mortgage loan originator but started sensing that the market was due to eventually fall off because interest rates couldn’t remain at or near historic lows forever.
Because his father always had a business, Chad didn’t have the fear of the unknown and he knew how to put together a plan. He wrestled with ideas for a couple of years before jumping into the idea ― originally proposed by former partners ― of making and selling doughnuts.
“We didn’t know anything about the business, but we knew we could learn,” he says.
Recipes were gathered from friends ― some of whom were in the business ― and there was a lot of practice, experimentation and even time spent learning at a bakery shop in Greensburg, Ind., that was owned by a friend.
Katie worked about nine years in area restaurants before staying home to raise their three children ― now 4, 10 and 12 ― so she knew a lot about customer service. The part she had to learn was perfecting the recipes for the doughnuts so Chad could focus on the business aspects.
Obviously, the plan is working with the expansion into South Bend, where Chad knew they already had customers who were picking up doughnuts to bring to Notre Dame, Beacon Health System and other employers in the city.
“I haven’t been as surprised by the success of the business as I have by the success of this location since its outside of the commercial area,” Chad says about the original spot at 25990 U.S. 12. “I guess it’s word of mouth and social media.”
Word gets out about food that is new and tasty.
For those in the doughnut and pastry business, the day gets started at 5:30 a.m. so that doughnuts are ready by the early morning rush.
The Edwardsburg location is open from 6:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays or until the doughnuts and other pastries are gone. Each day, Chad loads up trays of fresh product to take down to the South Bend location, which is open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays.
Divine Dough currently produces about 90 dozen doughnuts a day during the week and 150 to 160 dozen for Fridays and Saturdays. Employment has grown to 13, and Chad isn’t averse to additional expansion, though he admits finding employees can be challenging.
“There are other spots we’d like to be, but a doughnut truck is probably our next step,” he says.
Expect to pay about $25 for a dozen doughnuts. The Edwardsburg location also serves Infusco coffee and the South Bend spot, which has a handful of inside tables, will soon be following once equipment is installed.
Chocolate Bavarian, Maple Pecan, Strawberry Fluff and Maple Bacon in addition to cinnamon rolls and apple fritters are among the most popular items on the menu.
The stores also have partnered with DineIn and DoorDash for delivery and recommend placing significant orders days in advance because the business aims to produce close to what it sells each day with the remainder being used for promotional purposes.
Even with a seemingly crowed doughnut field, Divine Dough has proven there’s room in any market for a business with a laser focus on offering the highest quality products and services.
“Handmade and with fresh quality ingredients,” Chad says. “Those and faith.”
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Funeral services for Steve Brooks, who founded the well known Kate O'Connor's Irish Pub in New Carlisle, will be in his native Ireland. Brooks, 58, who unexpectedly died on May 5, founded and ran the pub with his wife Mary until just a few months ago. Among others, he is survived by his wife and two children ― Catherine and Connor. Thank you, Steve, for always aiming for authenticity.
Email Tribune Market Basket columnist Ed Semmler at esemmler@sbtinfo.com.
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