Ex-cop to open ‘made-to-order’ doughnut shop

A new doughnut shop called "District 6 Donuts" is in the works in Oakwood — and its founder is a retired Dayton police officer.

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Founder Bill Parsons worked for 26 years as a Dayton cop, and also served for more than two decades as commander of the police academy at Sinclair Community College. He is well aware of the public’s perception of the link between men and women in blue and doughnuts — and he fully intends to capitalize on it in his new business.

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Boxes of doughnuts will be sealed with — yes — evidence tape. And the shop’s motto? “It’s a crime to eat just one.” Even the name of the doughnut shop is a throwback to his law enforcement career.

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“The city of Dayton has five police districts,” Parsons said, “so I decided to create District 6.”

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That isn’t the only twist this new doughnut shop will offer. District 6 will have a doughnut-making machine that will allow customers to customize their doughnut in much the same way a diner at Chipotle or Subway orders their food, Parsons said. They will choose the icing, the topping, and the drizzle on their custom-made doughnut.

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The new doughnut shop is shooting for a June 1 opening date. It is located at 6 Oakwood Ave., in a retail center that also holds a Firehouse Subs and Saxby’s Coffee. The space previously housed an Orange Leaf Yogurt shop.

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The 2,000-square-foot space will seat about 35, and the new shop will employ 10 to 12, Parsons said. Because his equipment will produce doughnuts made to order, Parsons said his shop will stay open later than many other doughnut bakeries. Hours will be 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Parsons said District 6 will partner with the Dayton Police History Project and will collaborate with other non-profit organizations in the Oakwood-Dayton area, including those benefitting community theater and pets.

Parsons’ sister, Kellie Tomlinson, is a co-founder of the new business.

For more information, check out the District 6 Donuts Facebook page.

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