Our Story…

Geraldine (Jerrie) and her daughter, Karen Stockburger, took over the Mister Donut Franchise on June 23rd, 1982. Karen was a schoolteacher at the time, and Jerrie owned her own business but saw that there was a donut shop for sale in Butler and decided to buy it and move here from Pittsburgh. They were the first female duo to own and operate a Mister Donut Franchise. They operated as Mister Donut until April 10th, 1995, when they became the first to convert their store to Donut Connection after Dunkin’ Donut Corporate bought out the Mister Donut National Franchise.

A group of former Mister Donut owners decided to form a cooperative and call it Donut Connection.

Jerrie was active in the shop until she was 83 years old, she loved the people, and they loved her! Karen continued, with the help of her sister-in-law, Jean, to operate the shop until Covid-19 hit and they were forced to close on March 17th, 2020.

The Stockburger family would like to thank the dedicated customers and employees, for without them, they would not have had success for 38 years in business. There were highs and lows, as with anything, but the friendships will live in their hearts forever.

As a nonprofit, the money we earn is reinvested in the community, enabling us to serve more people and agencies in need. That means every donut purchase goes back into the community!

We have more than just donuts!

We serve fresh muffins, apple fritters, cookies, puff pillows, long johns, and bagels daily.

Nonprofit Development Corporation (NDC) noticed that the Donut Connection had been closed and had decided not to reopen. NDC then connected with Karen in June of 2020 with the intention of purchasing the shop. NDC works to improve our community by taking properties needing rehabilitation or repairs, restoring them, and utilizing them to assist other nonprofits or individuals in need. As a nonprofit construction company, the money we earn on our work and projects is reinvested in the community and enables us to serve more people and agencies in need. On December 29, 2020, NDC purchased the Donut Connection, renovations had begun by January 11, 2021. Over the next four months, NDC updated the inside and outside of the shop and practiced making the donuts that everyone knows and loves.

With the help of Credit GIVES, every dollar spent here goes back into the community.

Our goal is to continue the legacy Jerrie and Karen started by providing customers with quality products at a reasonable price in a supportive and welcoming environment.