May 8, 2018

If Flyboy Donuts’ food truck gauged the market correctly, the east side has been craving doughnuts.

Owner Ben Duenwald tried out the mobile sales approach last year to strong results.

“The food truck allowed us to see what demand could be and get a sense of the traffic and time of day,” he said. “And this is pretty hopping early morning and lunch and coming home.”

He converted the former Flower Mill location at 10th Street and Bahnson Avenue into a bright space with a retro aviation theme.

While Duenwald inherited the brand from the store’s former owner, it fits him, too.

“My dad wanted to be a pilot, and then he was called to the farm to help my grandpa, so he never got to do it,” he said. “I aspire to too, but not in the short term.”

The store is lined with booths and offers a full selection of Flyboy donuts and coffee.

“We repurposed a lot of our furnishings,” Duenwald said. “I don’t want it to seem yuppie or too new. I want it to be authentic. We incorporated a lot of my farm materials – repurposed tin and a lot of barn wood.”

He’s repeating the business plan from his store at 57th Street and Western Avenue, but the east-side store also allows him to eventually try other items.

Hours are 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday at 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.