Bismarck Tribune

Jeanine Asbridge, owner of Caffe Aroma, announced Tuesday that she has purchased The Donut Hole from a family that has operated the business at 1914 N. 12th St. for the past 30 years.

"We're keeping everything the same at The Donut Hole with products and hours of operation, although we will be adding a full espresso bar," Asbridge said. "We will continue to serve the doughnuts and coffee that have always been popular with area customers."

The Donut Hole will undergo remodeling, inside and out, but will be open for business throughout the process, she said.

"I'm leaving the business in good hands," said previous owner Brandt Dockter, grandson of the founding owners. "Jeanine is going to do a great job."

Dockter said he is going back to school to study psychology and the culinary arts, although he hasn't made a final decision about a career path yet.

"I do want to thank all of the Bismarck-Mandan population for the loyal and continuing support of the business," he said.

Asbridge said she will now carry Donut Hole products at both of her Caffe Aroma locations, at 120 N. Third St. and 722 S. 26th St., and has already hired additional staff.

"It is exciting to take good, well-known products and put them in stores serving downtown and south Bismarck," she said. "I see it as an opportunity to provide a product that I believe in to a growing population. It goes well with coffee."

Doughnut deliveries will continue as usual, she said, with hopes to "offer drink deliveries to the public in the future."

"Deliveries are a big part of the business," she said.

"We're looking to expand our baking at the south location, as well as our lunch business," she said. "We have room for the additional development there."

She said Caffe Aroma South also will offer a large variety of Pride of Dakota products.

Asbridge said she purchased Caffe Aroma from its original owners two years ago. "They operated the business for nine years, developing exclusive roasting methods for coffee beans that are still used today."

(Reach reporter Nathan Denton at 250-8261 or at nathan.denton@;bismarcktribune.com.)