Shipley Do-Nuts Owner, Lawrence Shipley, Started with a Tasty Idea
It was 1936, at the end of the Great Depression, when Shipley Do-Nuts owner, Lawrence Shipley, hit upon a delicious idea: a gourmet do-nut so tasty it would withstand the test of time. Cut by hand and served hot throughout the day, Shipley Do-nuts were five cents a dozen and only available wholesale. But within four short years, they proved so popular that Lawrence began offering his wholesome baked treats to the public. Life became much busier for the family, and while Lawrence was away on his selling routes, his wife, Lillian, would stay home filling orders, baking from her humble kitchen with their infant son, Lawrence Jr., balanced on her knee.
Lawrence Jr. would work in the family business his entire life, continuing his father’s vision and turning Shipley Do-Nuts into the successful business it is today. During his involvement, he expanded the menu to include our delicious kolaches and grew the company to more than 190 stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas. Today, Shipley is home to over 330 locations, and we’re excited to keep growing!
