Back Door Donuts Makes Changes to Appease Neighbors

Ethan Genter Wednesday, March 1 2023 - 1:40pm

Responding to complaints last year, the owners of Back Door Donuts have cooked up new plans to make things a little sweeter for the neighbors this season.

The iconic Oak Bluffs doughnut shop that commands long lines into the night hours has come under fire from nearby residents, who have complained about the growing din in the summer months when hundreds of patrons line up for the first warm fritters and doughnuts to come out of the bakery’s fryer.

Owner Patrick Lyons told the Oak Bluffs selectmen Tuesday that changes are planned this year in response to the complaints. Mr. Lyons said people will order at the back door as ususal — where the shop draws its name — but pick up at the front door in Healey Square. The change will happen only on peak busy days, Mr. Lyons said.

The business also plans to introduce online ordering in an attempt to cut down on the number of people waiting outside. A former town police officer has been added to the staff to help with security as well.

“I think that’s going to have a seismic impact on the business,” Mr. Lyons told the board. “If we don’t do what we are saying, we should be reprimanded.”

Mr. Lyons, who owns restaurants in Boston and is seeking to open a taqueria in Tisbury, bought the bakery in 2018 with two business partners.

Last summer, the town heard complaints from neighbor Lynn Vera about the lines and disruptions in the wee hours.

“Before there was social media and before it became TripAdvisor’s number one thing to do on Martha’s Vineyard, there might have been 45 people,” Ms. Vera said Tuesday. “Now there are limos and wedding parties arriving at midnight.”

Select board member Gail Barmakian agreed things got out of hand at times.

“I’ve seen it and it can get out of control,” Ms. Barmakian said. “I didn’t think there was good management.”

Mr. Lyons, who brought several staff members to the meeting, acknowledged that the business struggled in the past because they had a hard time finding people to monitor the line. The business is expected to go before the town for a new license later this month, and he vowed to do a better job this year.

“We think we are going to be a better neighbor,” Mr. Lyons said.

Comments

Full disclaimer, this is not

JT MV

Full disclaimer, this is not a slight on Back Door Donuts(big fan), it is merely an observation for the new owners. Last year it was very noticeable that the line became painfully slow because of procedure inside. Not sure what that is, but waiting almost an hour to get my three-item order left me doubting I would ever even waste my time again. This was *after* waiting in line for the typical 30 to place my order(which I completely understand). To then wait for almost another hour for my order to come out is just an unacceptable timeframe. This also created a mass of people like I had never seen before, because simply put the line wasn't moving. Hopefully the figure it out, and I also have empathy for Kennebec residents.

"The business also plans to

Susan Case Bucks County, PA

"The business also plans to introduce online ordering ..." Didn't the Covid years make us tired of online ordering and pickup?
Standing in line at BDD has always been a family tradition, chatting with others in line, admiring our dogs, discussing the merits of favorite donuts, and always having a relatively quiet good time. But "things got out of control at times" so here we go.

Quality video cameras from

George Stein OB

Quality video cameras from multiple locations on that back lot can be of tremendous help to the law enforcement community

“Things can get out of hand

Joe Buti Boston

“Things can get out of hand sometimes”
Over donuts? It’s like throwing food off the back of a truck in some godforsaken refugee camp.

I am not a donut person. I

Jason OB

I am not a donut person. I use to live near a major university in Boston. Neighbors would constantly complain about every noise, event etc…if you choose to live next to a commercial area these are the obstacles unfortunately.

Thank you for doing your best

Melissa East Chop

Thank you for doing your best to keep an island tradition alive. I think it’s brilliant what you’re trying to do and wonderful that you’re so concerned about the neighbors.!!!!!! Can’t wait!!!

When we were young hippies in

Xander Oak Bluffs.

When we were young hippies in the 70’s there was no where to go after the bars and restaurants had closed for the night to get anything to cure our munchies. Word got out out that if you went to the donut shop next to the post office and knocked on the back door, the old fella who was baking donuts for the next morning would hand out the days leftovers for free. Little did we know we were helping to start a multi million dollar business. We sure laugh now when we see those lines winding around the parking lot spilling out onto Kennebec. We should at least get some free fritters.

I do struggle with this issue

Islander61 OB

I do struggle with this issue. On one hand, it has been a long standing tradition, however, it does seem to have gotten so big it’s an issue with neighbors. Unlike one comment here, the houses that are affected were built long before BDD began their after hours business. One day, my spouse went to the “front door” while they were open and was told to go to the “back door” for the next day breakfast fritters. That just tells me that they don’t care about the neighbors. The front door is on Main Street technically. There is no reason why they can’t sell out of their primary store front. Hey, I used to go to the Lamppost but that’s gone. It’s time to fix this and move to the front door. The argument of affecting businesses adjacent to them is weak. It’s better than 12:00 pm noise affecting the neighbors trying to sleep.

This island keeps going in a

Janice Kemp Chilmark

This island keeps going in a downward spiral. We have a very reputable PD in OB and this is what the island community has to complain about? These people aren't happy unless they have a witch to hunt or a demon to slay. The two local papers keep giving the tiki torch mob a platform to run to 5 corners with. This community can do better.

Get up in the morning to get

Chris Senge

Get up in the morning to get your donuts & coffee. Hardly any wait then!

I have to say that I find

Brianna Massachusetts

I have to say that I find this a little bit dramatic. Yes it's busy, but is it really this big of a deal/this disturbing to people who live nearby? And also like someone else said, if you live on/right next to Circuit Ave. that was your choice and you can't expect quiet summer nights on your back porch!

I think ordering online completely ruins the point of the whole experience. DRAMA!!

I think they just need to

Oak Bluffs Grandma Oak Bluffs

I think they just need to speed up what they do and keep the transactions and menu simple and include tax in the price. Moving the pick up to the front door is a dumb idea. Just simplify the process. Just bring the donuts out to the back, put a table between the donuts and customers, have customers point to what they want, write price with magic marker on bag, have cashiers ring up price on bag. No ordering. Just pointing and paying.

Hang in there BDD… I

Tonya Primus Oak Bluffs

Hang in there BDD… I recognize it’s hard to please everyone… neighbors, customers, the town regulators but you have something special… remember that! Things will work out. You are doing the right thing by implementing procedures to make things better. I would seek out seasoned islanders for advice and counsel.

That's what makes it a fun

Anne Madison, NJ

That's what makes it a fun summer tradition.......standing in line, debating which donuts to order, chatting with others on line. That's what bring us back every summer! The happy noise, the crowds, the kids running around, I wouldn't want to change anything about the experience....

Late-night donuts are a tradition in Oak Bluffs, but crowds have become a problem in recent summers.