Stan’s Donuts is one of the true gems of Westwood Village. Donuts from this famous old school shop have delighted visited for decades. We had the pleasure of sitting down with Stan Berman himself to get his perspective of Westwood Village and to hear some of the shop’s long history. Stan’s Donuts is one of the oldest businesses in the Village, a fact of which Stan is very proud. “I came here to visit my friend who owned it in December of 1963, and I haven’t left yet,” says Stan.
Stan’s Donuts has many characteristics that make it unique. One asset is its convenient location and long hours, according to Berman. “We are a different style donut shop,” he says. “We actually do half of our business in the afternoon because of the area we’re in. We get a lot of action from the [UCLA] campus and the local business community. While most donut shops do all their business before 3 o’clock in the afternoon.”
Another distinguishing factor would be the quality and diversity of the donuts sold at Stan’s. The store’s specialties include its lines of Baker’s Cheese donuts and Peanut Butter donuts. The latter, in particular, has an interesting history behind its ever-changing name. About 45 years ago, Berman said that a customer came in requesting a peanut butter donut and helped him discover how to make it using fresh peanut butter sealed inside the donut like a “peanut butter pocket” to retain the flavor and keep the peanut butter texture. Originally called the "Reese's Peanut Butter Pocket,"it is now known as "The Huell," after the late TV personality Huell Howser, of the travel show, "California's Gold."
“Huell featured the Peanut Butter donut on his show and people still talk about it,” Berman says. “Everybody who ever saw his show in California knows about the Peanut Butter donut. It’s one of our best sellers.”
Also popular are the donuts with apples and raisins, as “we make a lot of donuts with apples and raisins because I love apples and raisins,” according to Berman. In fact, his favorite donut is the Raisin Buttermilk bar. He says that every customer’s request is important to him, which was apparent while sitting with him at the counter. He knows the name of each of his regular customers and has a personal story to share about every one of them. These kinds of interactions are very rare nowadays, especially in Los Angeles, which could explain why Stan's has been able to stand the test of time. On any given day, Stan’s attracts customers from all walks of life, ranging from first-timers from out of state to long-time friends who grew up visiting the local donut shop.
While Berman has a great team and staff, he says that he still comes in the shop almost every morning to do one of his favorite things — make the donut icing. Being physically involved at the store is both enjoyable and necessary, according to Berman.
For Berman, “Stan’s Donuts” truly means more than selling donuts — it’s about connecting with customers and making everyone feel like a part of his family.
“You would think [we’re known for] the donuts, but it’s more than the donuts,” Berman says. “It's the feeling that every one of the customers means the world to me.”
Don't live near Stan's Donuts? They ship donuts anywhere in the country overnight! All you have to do is go onto their website, www.StansDoughnuts.com, click "Order Donuts Now," fill out the short order form and the next day you'll be munching on some of the best donuts around.
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