Donutland coming to NewBo

CEDAR RAPIDS - Local bakery Donutland is expanding its presence into NewBo with a partnership with Lu's Deli, 1010 Third St. SE.

The change comes after longtime owner Vicki Zinkula sold Donutland to Jeff and Stacy Collins in September.

Jeff Collins said they get frequent requests from customers to open more locations of the storied doughnut shop, which first opened in 1962 and has been operating continuously at 4307 Center Point Rd. NE since 1971.

'In the past, Donutland had up to six locations in Cedar Rapids,” he said. 'Especially with the way the NewBo District is growing and changing, we think that's a good opportunity to bring back Donutland to an area that hasn't had it for a while.”

He said the partnership will be called Donutland With Lu's Deli, with a target start date of Feb. 1.

Lu's Deli, which opened in 2016, serves sandwiches, soup and salads. Come February, it also will sell doughnuts and other baked goods such as cinnamon rolls from Donutland.

Collins said they will prepare the food at the Center Point store and will adjust what is available at Lu's Deli depending on demand.

He said he and Stacy have been familiar with Donutland for 27 years, and when Zinkula was ready to retire, they assured her they would keep the business going.

'The intent is to keep serving the same great Donutland products and keep serving the community,” he said.

Will there be additional new locations of Donutland?

'Who knows?” he said. 'Potentially, if business continues to be strong and people keep supporting us.”

l Comments: (319) 398-8339; alison.gowans@thegazette.com