4 minute read

Double Dipped

Meet the entirely glutenfree sister store of the beloved central Ohio shop, The Dipped Donut

By Molly Hammond / Photos by Tyler Jamison / Story Design by Bryce Patterson

Founded in 2019, Jeni Reida was looking for a replacement business for her family’s 20-year-old tanning salon and laundry facility. Her main criteria? She wanted a FUN business that didn’t have extensive daytime working hours. Located in

Delaware and trying to make ends meet, the Reida family wanted to go in a different direction to help pay the bills. The family listened to the local community’s requests—everyone was eager for a fresh donut shop, with fun flavors and bright new ideas.

After 18 months of research into an industry she didn’t know a lot about, Jeni landed at the Dipped Donut with her business plan, thanks to trial and error and countless trips to other local donut shops.

In 2008, Jeni’s daughter, Kayla, was diagnosed with Celiac Disease. Jeni found it important to find a treat that her daughter could indulge in safely. When opening The Dipped Donut, the team always dedicated one Monday out of the month to use the Gluten Free fryer to help cater to people diagnosed with celiac and gluten-free foodies. After a while, the gluten-free crowd exploded, encouraging Jeni and team to expand their business to have gluten-free options at all times. Through popular demand, Gluten Free by the Dipped was created—a gluten-free, dairy-free donut shop right next door to the Dipped Donut, in late 2022.

“I was in the shoes of many parents that walked through the doors,” said Reida. “All they wanted was a treat for their child to feel normal again. I wanted to give them that. With the Dipped Donut and GF by the Dipped, we are able to give the community the best of both worlds.”

Gluten-free options include Long Johns, Boston Creams, Jelly Filled and Apple Fritters. The shop also caters to other dietary restrictions, making vegan-friendly options available once per week.

Donut lovers can enjoy homemade vanilla cake donuts topped with a variety of different icings and toppings. The Dipped Donut’s homemade icing flavors range from the classic chocolate, strawberry and vanilla to unique flavors including black raspberry, maple and more. Customers can choose from different toppings to dip their donut into including bacon bites, M&M’s, sea salt, coconut, sprinkles, oreos and more. The shop also sells cinnamon rolls, which have quickly become a fan-favorite over the years.

Both of Reida’s donut shops were founded on family. Jeni’s husband, Carl, is able to utilize his Mechanical Engineering degree almost every day at the shop while her daughter, Kayla, often works for the family business as well. This familial unit goes beyond blood for them too, as the shop’s employees are all connected to the Reidas on a level beyond the vocational.

“Every employee at our store is considered family to us. We never have an issue finding staff. We’re just a close-knit family,” said Reida.

The Dipped Donut also offers fundraising opportunities to local schools, charities and churches, all while aiming to shift the narrative on the disease that has affected her own family firsthand.

“We are changing the way people with Celiac feel about food. It’s safe to say that we are bringing normalcy back to people’s lives.”

The Dipped is open Tuesday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to noon and Saturday 7 a.m. to noon. The shop is closed Sunday and Monday. Gluten-Free by The Dipped is open every day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

To learn more, visit thedippeddonut.com

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