Now in its third generation of the Thomas family, not much has changed since the family began its businesses along the beach.
“My grandmother used to have me in a bassinet on the dough table when I was a baby, so you can say I have always been a part of the business in some form. I took over The Donut Shop in 2007 after I got out of the Coast Guard,” explains Michael Thomas.
“My Great Aunt Johnnie had been in charge for about 15 years and the shop was still owned by my grandparents, George and Inez Thomas. My father Mike now owns the business and I oversee the day-to-day operations.
“My father owns and operates Mike’s Cafe and Oyster Bar three miles east of Thomas Donuts. We have been in business at this location since 1946 and hopefully will be in 2046! We make our donuts fresh everyday and never sell day-old donuts.
“At the current location, my grandparents operated an ice house, which was where our outside dining is now, from ‘46 to ‘74 when Hurricane Eloise took it down.
“In ‘71 my grandfather built the donut shop next to the ice house with his own hands and had no earthly idea how to make a donut. He bought the equipment from a firm in New Orleans on credit then had to call them and tell them that if they wanted to see any money from him they were going to have to send someone over to teach him how to make a donut.
“Anyway, Eloise spared the donut shop so he and my grandmother ran the shop, with the help of their children, for many years.
“I worked it with my Aunt Johnnie after I finished FSU but after a year I realized there was something missing for me and that’s when I joined the U.S. Coast Guard. Now I am here for good, and I love it!”
“Yes, my old New Orleans friends still come and play on holiday weekends for not much more than chicken biscuits, sweet tea, donuts and rum!
“And yes, there is a secret ingredient.”
Thomas Donuts is a place where you just know Ernest Hemmingway would have wanted to visit. With its clapboard construction and nothing but a stretch of asphalt separating it from the beach, it is reminiscent to the days of drive-ins and grilled burgers.
In addition to the area’s most talked about donuts, the Thomases also serve a full menu of sandwiches, munchies and their accompaniments, in addition to bagels, breakfast biscuits and kolaches.
There is inside dining but don’t expect tablecloths or anything but the same 1946 icehouse atmosphere. Thomas Donuts & Snack Shop is open daily 6 a.m. to 3 p.m., except Wednesdays, when it is closed. Breakfast is served until 10:30 a.m.
You can visit them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ThomasDonutShop or Call them at (850) 234-8039.
