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America’s longest-standing donut chain just got a little older, and this year, officials are throwing a party.
Shipley Donuts is celebrating its 90th anniversary–nearly a century after its opening in 1936–with a 10-week-long promotion running until Oct. 18, according to a news release.
The special began Aug. 10 and is set to rotate through various value deals, in addition to debuting limited-time birthday-themed donuts.
Looking back
Shipley’s story began nine decades ago in the oven of its original bakery located at 1417 Crockett St., Houston. The bakery’s founder, Lawrence Shipley Sr., sold his handcrafted, pillowy donuts dipped in a warm glaze wholesale for just five cents a dozen, per the release.
Flash forward to the present, the Houston-based donut parlor still serves that same hexagon-cut treat fresh every morning, now from nearly 400 locations across 13 states. These locations are either individually franchised or company-owned, but both types offer a wide variety of handmade donuts and kolaches, officials said.
At Shipley, the flavors of Texas put a twist on the original Czech kolache. Its iteration consists of fresh dough logs filled with elements such as cheese, eggs, sausage or jalapeños that are baked until golden brown.
In their own words
Officials said that the intent of the bakery’s 10-week birthday promotion is to debut new creations that customers will love, while at the same time honor the signature recipes that have made Shipley a “household name.”
"This milestone is about celebrating the generations of guests who have grabbed a dozen on their way to work, brought their kids in on Saturday morning or made Shipley part of their everyday moments,” Shipley Donuts CEO Flynn Dekker said via new release. “Our 90th birthday celebration is our way of saying thank you and inviting everyone to make more memories with us."
Craving birthday cake?
At participating locations, customers can get a taste of the all-new Birthday Bullseye, a festive spin on Shipley’s classic Strawberry Bullseye.
The featured donut contains colorful sprinkles folded throughout the dough, before being spread with a layer of pink strawberry icing and coated with even more sprinkles on top, according to the release.
The Birthday Bullseye is available individually and as part of the limited-time 1936 Shipley Favorites Box, a nostalgic dozen consisting of other flavors like Original Glazed, Cherry Iced, Chocolate Iced and Bavarian Cream Filled.
What you need to know
Shipley’s 10-week celebration offers different specials per date and ends altogether Oct. 18, officials confirmed.
For full details on the donut parlor’s 90th anniversary, including information on participating locations and offer terms, customers may visit Shipley’s official website and social media pages.
