Owners of Back Door Donuts in Oak Bluffs released a statement Friday urging fans of the iconic eatery to show support at an upcoming select board meeting, where they say a disconcerted neighbor will be attempting to thwart the doughnut shop’s late-night business.
According to the town’s meeting agenda for Tuesday, the select board will be discussing and possibly voting on operations plans for Back Door Donuts.
Lynn Vera, an Oak Bluffs resident and abutter to the bakery, has come before the Oak Bluffs select board numerous times in the past few years, presenting what she says is evidence that Back Door Donuts has failed to abide by the town’s regulations.
Vera’s claimed that the shop’s rowdy queue has been the cause of late-night disturbance, despite having made modifications to her residence to keep the sound at bay. Vera has said she’s tried many times to come to terms with the business owners, to help find a solution.
But the owners of Back Door Donuts are saying that because of the neighbor’s complaints, the business is facing “mounting pressure” to shut down its late night doughnut (and fritter) sales — what owners say are the “cornerstone of the business.”
The eatery shared a statement with The Times Friday afternoon:
“Back Door Donuts is more than just a bakery; it’s woven into the fabric of our island. Generations have grown up savoring our delectable treats, and visitors from far and wide have made it a tradition to stop by and indulge in our mouthwatering creations.
“The current complaints brought forth by a community member threatens this all,” the statement continues.
“Shutting down this beloved establishment would have a ripple effect on our community, affecting not only the employees but also suppliers, neighboring businesses, and the overall vibrancy of our town.
“Thank you for being a part of the Fritter Fam and for standing up for what we believe in,” the statement concluded.
The public hearing will be held during the Oak Bluffs select board meeting Tuesday at 4:30 pm at town hall.
Who would do this? – talk about one for one and instead of all???
The Back Door Donut is just one of the magical activities that our family looks forward to each year on our yearly visit. Standing in in line affords us time to meet new visitor to the island as well as chat with many of the Island’s full time residents that we know. In the many years of having this experience I have never witnessed any “rowdiness “ and or “hooligans” And the fitters are soo good that they never make it past the Post Office bench. So we repeat the process and get several to take home for breakfast.?♂️??
It would have been relevant if this article had defined what the meaning of “late night” is.
Are they open at 3 AM ? Are they not subject to any of the rules concerning closing times ?
if someone lives in downtown O.B and can’t handle the sounds of the city, well, quite frankly– move– it’s a sellers market here.
But if Back Door is in violation of town ordinances, then they should immediately comply.
This should be pretty obvious.
Either they are in compliance or not.
Do they really need a public hearing ?
Come gather ’round people
Wherever you roam
And admit that the waters
Around you have grown
And accept it that soon
You’ll be drenched to the bone
If your time to you is worth savin’
And you better start swimmin’
Or you’ll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin’.
All this over grease-laden, cholesterol-producing, artery-clotting, diabetes-busting donuts.
Oh my, sugar!
I think it would be important to add to this article that the business made an agreement with the town in the spring, shook hands with the neighbor, and agreed that the Selectboard would check in on progress, which they are doing at the next meeting. The business is now making it sound like they are about to be shut down, which is not true if they have lived up to their agreement.
Do the neighbors predate BDD?
Yes, if I didn’t mess up this morning’s research. 1962 (47 Ocean Ave home purchase by Joseph Vera, per 2018 Skip Finley newspaper article. The property is still in the family) vs. 1971 (under the radar out the back door donut sale from BDD website “Peter White – purchased the bakery in 1971 and changed the name to Old Stone. Peter is believed to be the first to run an official sales operation from the back door. There were no hours in those days. If you wanted a donut at 4am, Peter and his staff would gladly oblige. What began as a secret known only to those “in the know” quickly became a must-do for Vineyard residents and visitors alike”) The 2018 newspaper article tells a nice story as does the 2022 obituary of Mr. Vera.
47 Ocean Ave has changed hands since since BDD first opened.
If so, it was to within the family when their Dad was getting older. Still in the family.
People buy places in Oak Bluffs because that is where the action is.
The Times has published a PR puff thing put together from the donut company that sounds like an advertisement for an edible Barbie.
But I don’t see factual reporting of the actual situation.
The Times seems to be clearly taking the donut company’s side.
The Times is dependent on advertising income.
Are you surprised that they are pro business.
The Times is not bush league hippy rag.
The majority of businessmen on the Island take the donut company’s side.
Wow, Katherine — you are doing a pretty good job of elevating yourself to seriously “sleep” status.
I read the article –twice– how can you claim the times is taking a “side” ?
Because they actually post a quote from someone ?
Really Katherine– Posting a quote from one of the concerned parties is not condoning anything– stating the fact that the neighbor has been upset for years does not show any bias.
What are you talking about ?– Really
Sorry– not everything is “fake news” or “cancel culture”.
Perhaps you should go see the Barbie movie—It’s a really fun movie, even though some nut cases think it’s too “woke”
Or is it too offensive to you because there are no guns, nobody dies, and they don’t praise Jesus?
Ginger Luckey Gaetz, the 26-year-old wife of Representative Matt Gaetz, (who is 41 ). knocked the movie because it “neglects to address any notion of faith or family.
They eloped during his sex scandal story — how about that for a notion of the “family” ?
And how about if “Muslim Barbie” constantly said “Allah Akbar” –Translated as
“praise god ”
Would you feel better because the Barbie movie had a notion about “faith” ?
Sorry to go on about Barbie– but you brought it up.
That’s only 25 years.
Matt stands for family values.
Intergenerational families.
Back in the early 70s myself and five other friends are used to go dancing at the lamppost. We always met girls and had a fun night of dancing and back then in a young age tequila. When we finished, we were wiped out not from the booze, but from dancing, and it was always really hot, we would all walk up circuit Avenue and I would tell everyone my friend owns old stone bakery and if we go to the back door he’ll sell us some stuff I said the donuts are good but the fritters are out of this world who would go there getting on alcoholic drinks and fritters I believe we were one of the first and it was because my friend who owned it. He was best friends with Marty Nadler two and was a great guy. He would come to the back door with bags and we gobbled the most amazing creation of apple bread, cinnamon and yes grease . It would melt in your mouth as you ate it unbelievably delicious and the sugar replenished everybody’s energy. This was pretty much the case every Thursday and Friday and then Saturday we would all go out to dinner. It’s an incredible lifelong memory and with my nephews were out last summer, I took them there, and after a half fritter, they all were part of the Cult. Now with my age, it is become a tradition and a good one though alcohol and just a great treat for the younger crowd that is looking for some thing to eat after a night of dancing! Please let it say.
Back in the early 70s myself and five other friends used to go dancing at the lamppost. We always met girls and had a fun night of dancing and back then in a young age tequila. When we finished, we were wiped out not from the booze, but from dancing, and it was always really hot, we would all walk up circuit Avenue and I would tell everyone my friend owns old stone bakery and if we go to the back door he’ll sell us some I said the donuts are good but the fritters are out of this world we would go there getting non alcoholic drinks and fritters I believe we were one of the first and it was because my friend who owned it. He was best friends with Marty Nadler who is a great guy. He would come to the back door with bags and we gobbled the most amazing creation of apple bread,sugar cinnamon and yes grease . It would melt in your mouth as you ate it unbelievably delicious and the sugar replenished everybody’s energy. This was pretty much the case every Thursday and Friday and on Saturday we would all go out to dinner. It’s an incredible lifelong memory! I was with my nephews last summer, I took them there, and after a half fritter, they all were part of the Cult. Now at my age, it has become a tradition and a good one no alcohol and just a great treat for the younger crowd that is looking for some thing to eat after a night of dancing! Please let it say.
Fred, never let go of memories like this. There’s not many people left on island that can share this memory with you.