After 32 years, local doughnut-shop owner sold business to his former employee

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

What to Know
By Mark Fisher
Jan 26, 2018
X

The long-time owner of a local doughnut shop is in the process of selling his business to one of his former employees who already has more than a year-and-a-half of experience of running his own bakery.

Mike Hemmert, owner of the Donut Haus at 305 W. Central Ave. in Springboro for 32 years, has reached an agreement to sell the store to Ryan and Danielle Tripp of Springboro, who founded Bear Creek Donuts in Miamisburg in April 2016. Ryan Tripp worked for Hemmert at the Donut Haus for eight years, starting when he was 14.

RELATED: Donut Haus employee to open his own doughnut shop

“When you work passionately and put your heart and soul into something this long, it’s so important, when it’s time to retire and ‘pass the baton,’ to not only find a qualified buyer, but to find someone that you feel will carry that passion and sales-building on,” Hemmert told this news outlet this morning. “Ryan is the perfect candidate. With Ryan, I have no concerns that the Donut Haus will be around long after I am gone.”

RELATED: Ribbon-cutting today for Dayton area’s newest doughnut shop (November 2016)

Hemmert said he and Tripp “have had a transitional plan in place with our sales contract, and he has been working six to 10 hours a week for the past year at my shop to prepare” for the transition.

The Donut Haus will change ownership in mid-January. FILE

icon to expand image

“I have enjoyed being an employer to over 1,000 young people in the past 32 years, offering them their first opportunity at employment,” Hemmert said. “I have worked with them to teach teamwork, people skills, the value of a strong work ethic and loyalty.”

RELATED: Butler County Donut Trail adds a new shop

“I will miss all of that, along with the the day-to-day relationships with my customers. Giving back to the Springboro community which has been so good to me and my business has been a priority through the years.

Donut Haus doughnuts. FILE

icon to expand image

Hemmert, who had five grandchildren and a sixth on the way, said he is looking forward to spending more time with his family, and may also pursue another opportunity related to the baking industry.

8 must-try doughnuts in Dayton

Tripp is familiar with the Springboro community. He is a 2010 Springboro High School graduate who holds a degree in Neuroscience and Behavioral Physiology from Wright State University.

RELATED: Retired Dayton cop to open ‘made-to-order’ doughnut shop

In Other News
1
Day Yoga adds third location with new studio in Washington Twp.
2
Friday the 13th: What is so unlucky about it?
3
Happy birthday Dorothy Lane Market! What to know about its history
4
Graeter’s celebrates 154th birthday with special offer
5
Dayton-area festivals to check out throughout May

About the Author

Mark Fisher, a 1981 graduate of Ohio State University and a 1976 graduate of Beavercreek High School, is a third-generation Dayton-area resident who has worked for the Dayton Daily News since 1983. He covered higher education and K-12 education accountability issues for nearly 20 years before taking over the food and dining beat in 2006.