ADAMS, Mass. — One year and 125,000 doughnuts later, the town officially welcomed Shire Donuts with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

 

"It is never easy to open a small business, but it is really not easy to open a small business during a pandemic," Selectwoman Christine Hoyt said. "But you guys showed people how to do that and how to do it well." 

 

Typically when a new business opens in town the Selectmen hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Shire opened up last year but with the pandemic, the board had to delay any welcoming event.

 

On Friday, members of the Board of Selectmen and Town Administrator Jay Green gathered in front of the shop to make good on the town's tradition.

 

The shop opened up in fall 2020. Owners Jeff and Heather King made their dream a reality and after renovating the 52 Summer St. storefront, began serving boutique and custom doughnuts to customers that oftentimes lined up down the sidewalk.

 

"I would see a socially distanced line down here rain or shine," Hoyt said. "It didn't matter. People were lining up for doughnuts and they came from all over."

 

Green said businesses like Shire Donuts help put Adams on the map and spurs on other potential business development.

 

"People are coming to Adams for your business. Not only do you serve the Adams community but the town is rightfully now starting to take its place as a destination and that happens because of small businesses like yourselves," Green said. "...Thank you for what you have done for Adams. Now let's have some doughnuts."

 

The Kings thanked all those who have supported them through the first year of business.

 

"We have had tremendous support from friends family and certainly the town of Adams right form the beginning," Jeff said. "This was new for us, and we needed a lot of direction...everyone in the town has been supportive. We appreciate all of that so we are on to our next 125,000."