A century-old Rutland institution known for its classic doughnuts has new owners as of January 20. Brothers Gabe and Chris Turiello and Chris’ partner, Maike Munden, bought Jones’ Donuts & Bakery at 23 West Street from Lynn and Walt Manney, who had owned it for more than a decade.
Gabe, 38, said the trio paid the asking price of $675,000, which includes the building. They plan no major changes, he added, but have started offering doughnut specials and slightly expanded weekend hours.
“We are very aware of what this place means to the community,” Gabe said of the bakery, which was founded in 1923. “We just want to add to it.”
The Turiellos grew up in New Jersey, traveling frequently to ski in Vermont, mostly at Killington. Gabe moved from New York City to the Rutland area during the pandemic and continued working remotely in video production and marketing. Chris, 36, and Munden, 32, have many years of experience in the hospitality industry and were interested in relocating from Colorado to open a restaurant. Feeling ready for a career shift, Gabe recalled, he decided to partner with them.
When Gabe saw that Jones’ Donuts was for sale, he was immediately intrigued. “It felt much less scary to do this with an established, proven business than starting a totally new concept,” he said.
Chris and Munden will work on-site with the team of eight employees whom they retained. Gabe will focus on administration and marketing.
The mainstays of Jones’ menu — classic glazed, maple-glazed, Boston cream, and raspberry-and-cream-filled doughnuts — will not change, Gabe said. “The recipes have been the same, as far as we know, for over 100 years,” he said. “We’re not touching that.”
The new owners are experimenting with specials, such as maple-bacon glazed doughnuts and a cinnamon-sugar cake doughnut sliced in half and sandwiched with fluffy maple cream.
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