An extra-special opening day at World's Best Donuts

World’s Best Donuts was founded 50 years ago by Merieta Engels Altrichter and Irma Toftey. The women started off with one small donut fryer in a cement building at the base of the then-Gunflint Trail (now part of Dockside Fish Market).  They later moved to a building that is long gone, the Joynes Bargain Barn (now a parking lot).

Irma left the business, but Merieta carried on, bringing her children, Sherrie Lindskog and Donna Wilson, into the fold. The family business moved to its current location at 10 East Wisconsin Street, across from the Beaver House in 1977.

In 2002, the third generation of this Donut Shop family took over, Dee Brazell and Stacy Hawkins. Dee Brazell is currently the sole owner, but she has a team of fourth- and even fifth-generation family members pitching in.

And of course, her mom, Sherrie Lindskog is also still active behind the scenes.

WTIP’s Rhonda Silence visited World’s Best Donuts on May 22, the official opening day of the season—of World’s Best 50th anniversary year.

Here’s her report.