Donut Daycamp

I always associated the term “daycamp” with a happy place. School would be out for the summer, you woke up at the crack of dawn and headed for this wonderland of playtime and summer pals. And the choices! You mean I can finger paint, make paper mache volcanoes, and go on a field trip to the pool?!

Now at 35 years old imagine how I felt when I stumbled across Bruce Frechette and the Hot Donut Co. cart.

At this point I should admit that the meeting was probably not as angels-singing blissful for Bruce. It happened to be the coldest morning of the year (29 degrees is downright frigid for a thin-skinned floridian), I had the day off, and was out on my morning walk. I had seen the Hot Donut co. cart on previous walks and had always been curious, so I had some cash buried deep within the 3 fleeces I was wearing. When I made it to the corner of Franklin and Kennedy it was like a beam of sunshine came down and the angels sang! I was back at daycamp! I had found my happy place! Bruce, in just a hooded sweatshirt, jeans, and bare chapped hands was as friendly as if I’d known him for years. What?! You mean I have 8 choices of coffee?! I can have cereal, a bagel, and a donut? I can create my own donut toppings?! And the whole shebang is only 2 bucks and change?! Oh glory day!

“My customers mostly buy cups of coffee. I’ve been serving sumatra and guatamala coffee since before Starbucks. Give ‘em a decent cup and they’ll come back!” Yes Bruce, they will and DOcome back, and have been for the 21 years he’s been in business. At $1.25 (includes tax), why wouldn’t you? He even fixes it for you! I was there for an hour and a half, and one guy (a bigshot lawyer who shall remain nameless) came back twice.

It’s no wonder Bruce has perfected owning and running a slice of heaven. Growing up in Ledyard Connecticut, just outside of Mystic (of the pizzas), his parents would bring the family to Florida in the winters and run a daycamp for kids in the summers. It’s all making sense now.

So why tampa? “I didn’t pick Tampa. Tampa picked me” says Bruce. Why donuts? “I had a hot donut once and always remembered it. It was at Dipper Dan’s in Ocean City, Maryland. I was there while I was dating this girl when I was going to school at Stetson. It was hot with powdered sugar.” The donut or the girl?

People have odd ways of discovering their callings, so I ask him how he got himself into this. “My old business partner, who actually runs a very prominent crab cake business, told me about a donut robot. So I drew up designs for a cart and created a business plan. The day I presented my idea to the city I rented this donut robot to show ‘em how it works." He gave it a trial run before the presentation at TECO Plaza. "I’d never used it before. So I plug it in and get it going. I forgot the oil! I didn’t know any better! The thing starts smoking, it sets off the fire alarm, and the building has to be evacuated!” By the time he actually did his presentation, everyone was there, including the Mayor, and "the robot was a big hit!" Clearly his business was approved, probably against city officials’ better judgement.

Everyone who visits Hot Donut Co. is thankful that, on that day, the powers-that-be took leave of their senses. It’s the best damn cake donut I’ve ever tasted! How do you make it? “It’s a secret,” replies Bruce. “If I told you I’d have to kill you.” “A guy from Dallas came by once, and he’s run a donut shop for years, and he says it’s the best donut he’s ever tasted. I wouldn’t tell him the secret either.”

What are the most interesting customers you’ve ever had? “the defense trial lawyers for a bank that was money laundering back in the 90’s.” Bruce has all kinds of clients. I witnessed a steady stream of lawyers, teachers, wastewater "odor inspectors," and other worker bees. The homeless, although omnipresent, keep their respectful distance. “There’s an unspoken understanding that I’ll hook them up after business hours.”

What’s the worst part about this job? “Getting up early,” he says, “but my body is used to it. Unfortunately I wake up early on the weekends too.”

Any competition? “There used to be a cappuccino cart. A kid they hired lasted one day! I hear him say ‘it looks like rain!’ Then he closed up shop and never came back!” he laughs.

I consider asking about what a typical day is like, but the answer is obvious. He drags the cart behind the mini van, Monday through Friday, and is in place by 6:30am. Coffee is ready and the first customer has their cup anxiously in hand by 6:45. He turns on some tunes for ambiance. Dave Matthews is today’s selection. His hands are moving at hummingbird speed, althewhile talking and delivering little nuggets of wisdom. “This is the best jam better!” (music, not food) “Did you know the US’s most profitable casino is in Ledyard?” (Connecticut) “Donuts have to cook at 72-75 degrees.” “What do you want to listen to?” I pick the Cowboy Junkies. “Did you know the Trinity Sessions were recorded in a church?” “Thanks Nelson.” (the milkman) “Hi Sue! Hi Gina! Hey Randy, nice suit! What’s up, Chris? Three sugars, right?”

The entire time he’s moving, working, talking, and greeting every customer, BY NAME. And like a great businessman and conversationalist, he gets people talking about their favorite topic – themselves. He draws me in and before I know it I’m spapping on about where I went to school, what my husband does for a living, and my thoughts on Tampa’s growth. “Here, let me get you some coffee and a donut, my treat” he says. I consider this a supreme act of kindness in spite of the fact he has been teased mercilessly for the last hour and a half. His buddies, after seeing a reporter/photographer, have accused him of participating in everything from illicit porn to a search for worldwide fame. Still, even after this good-natured ribbing, he says the absolute best part about his job are his customers. He remembers what they had yesterday, how they take their coffee, where they work, and the names of their families. Likewise, they ask him about his family whose picture is prominently displayed on his cart next to the cash box. “My customers are great. They’re all friendly.”

At donut daycamp, wouldn’t you be too?

(for more info, please visit www.hotdonutco.com)