Today we’d like to introduce you to Robert Masiello.
Hi Robert, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I retired to North Carolina in 2009, we wanted to be closer to family. I would go to a local donut/coffee shop to have a coffee and donut and read the newspaper almost every day. One morning the owner asked if I wanted to learn how to make donuts. My answer was sure why not. I worked there for a year or so, but they closed soon after. Than I had to find a new hangout. A few months after, I was approached by a friend letting me know that the person who operated a wholesale pastry shop has passed away. He has a whole donut shop stored in that space. I purchased the equipment for little money and he even let me pay it monthly. The rent was very reasonable and I started my donut career, this was 2014.
We went through a learning curve and in 2016 we were voted the best Apple Ugly in the Country by Foodnetwork Magazine. As of the date we can not longer use the phrase “Apple Ugly”. We were voted best Donuts/Pastries in McDowell County 7 years in a row. We also created the Carolina Donut Festival, and did many 5k runs. At one point we had two locations and the distance between both shop were almost exactly a half marathon. All money raised in these events were donated to the local endowment fund. We had to close in 2021 due to the fact that I needed 2 hip replacements. After a few years recovering from the hip replacements, I was bored. In early 2024 our Marion location became available and with being bored and in the back of my mind I had the urge to open again. Right before hurricane Helene hit we were ready to open up again. We spent months locating equipment and working on getting all the product we used previously to be able to continue as if we never left. After working through the Helene aftermath we reopened on August 07 2024. It didn’t take long to get back to where we left off when we closed. Recently 05/01/26 we were voted be Donut-Pastries in North Carolina, by Guide to North Carolina.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
We had to work through slow periods, equipment malfunctions, staffing and production issues.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am 1/2 owner with my spouse in owning a very successful Donut shop We sell gourmet donuts and pastries. We are a small mom and pop shop, right in the center of downtown. We are known for our overstuffed donuts. Our Donuts draw customers for many different states.
We are proud of our commitment to our community and we always put quality over quantity.
Our reputation stands out.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
We try to keep our person life separate from the business.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Mrbobsdonutsmarion.com
