Dads Cooking Breakfast At Newest Doughnut Shop In Eastern Connecticut

MANSFIELD, CT — There is a new doughnut shop in Mansfield Center.

Dad's Doughs has opened at 483 Storrs Road and the the locally owned business is serving up fresh doughnuts seven days a week with a rotating menu featuring "classic combos and creative flavors."

The Dads behind Dad’s Doughs are Lucas Ahern and Anthony Raggi. Both grew up in Mansfield and are now raising their families in the area. They are bringing their respective culinary and business backgrounds together for a new endeavor.

"We are excited to introduce something fresh and innovative to our community with the opening of Dad’s Doughs," Raggi said. "Our goal is to bring a fun and delicious new experience to town, and we can’t wait to share our one-of-a kind donuts with everyone."

Ahern has spent his career working in the restaurant industry, primarily with the Back Bay Restaurant Group in Boston and most recently as manager of Camille's Wood Fired Pizza in Tolland. He is the "creative mastermind" behind Dad's Doughs, whose menu centers around miniature cake donuts.

The menu at Dad’s Doughs features a selection of a dozen flavors each day with the options rotating often.

"We have some standard, traditional flavors that are always available," Ahern said. "Our rotating
flavors will feature some unique flavor combos and seasonal offerings. And, we have plans to feature locally grown ingredients on a seasonal basis. I'm really excited for the specialty flavors we have in the works."

Local products are featured, including items from Mountain Dairy in Storrs, Hosmer Mountain Soda in Manchester and Willimantic, Village Springs in Willington and Windsor-based Baronet Coffee Roasters.

Dad's offers gluten-free donuts sourced from Freedom Gluten Free Bakery out of Woburn, MA.

Dad’s Doughs occupies the lower level of 483 Storrs Road. The circa 1940 building served as the home of the Echo Grange, an agricultural, family fraternal organization, for decades. Following the closure of the local chapter of the Grange, the building underwent extensive renovations. It is home to an insurance office and, now, Dad's Doughs.

"We are excited to be welcoming Dad's Doughs to Mansfield," Town Manager Ryan
Aylesworth said. "This new donut shop, located in the beautifully repurposed old grange hall, is a shining example of how small businesses can bring fresh energy and creativity to our community from a location rich in Town history. Dad's Doughs promises to be more than just a place to enjoy delicious treats – it will be a gathering spot that fosters connections and contributes to the vibrancy of our community. We're excited to see this venture thrive and become a beloved part of Mansfield Center Village."

The public is being invited to a ribbon-cutting for Dad's Doughs on Friday at 11 a.m. and a grand opening on Saturday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. As part of the celebration, some lucky customers will receive a gift, courtesy of Klaus Larsen Roofing of Windham.

Customers can watch doughnuts being made through a viewing window.