Heav’nly Donuts Opening on Route 67

By Shannon O’Brien

For 28 years, Ernie and Effie Badas have built a coffee and donut community at Heav’nly Donuts on Route 34 in Derby — despite nearby competition from Derby’s Dunkin’ Donuts, and more recently the Starbucks.

Now, they are looking to open a second Heav’nly Donuts in Oxford — at 35 Oxford Road, less than a mile from the Seymour Starbucks and Oxford Dunkin’ Donuts.

“I have no doubt opening up another Heav’nly Donuts in Oxford will bring in just enough and even more customers to grow tremendously just like this one does every year,” said Ernie Badas, owner of Heav’nly Donuts. “I am just waiting on the state’s DOT (Department of Transportation) and the planning/zoning to get the approval in order to go ahead, sign the papers and start digging.”

The Oxford Planning and Zoning Commission approved the proposal on July 1st, 2014, according to the meeting minutes from the Planning and Zoning meeting.

“Once they get the approval, they will demolish the old 100 year house on 35 Oxford Road, start digging out the bank, and putting up retaining walls for the site,” said Ernie. “I have hopes that it will be open before the fall.”

The Scene

Heav’nly has become a community meeting place for many Valley residents, who often hang out for hours at tables inside.

“This is a enjoyable place to come for coffee,” said Pete Garguilo, a Heav’nly Donuts’ afternoon regular. “This is where I met some friends and now we all come in the afternoon everyday hangout and drink coffee.”

Mackenzie Walkinshaw, 19, said every employee is always polite, making a conversation with her or simply telling her to have a good day.

“That is why Heav’nly puts a smile on my face,” said Walkinshaw. “I love the chocolate covered banana iced coffee and how they have so many flavors and options for their food and drinks.”

The shop hosts “Cruise Nights” on Sundays filling the parking lot up with antique cars.

“They come from all over to look at the different kinds of cars, eventually becoming our customers as well,” said Ernie.

Everything is made from scratch, said Effie, and that is what makes Heav’nly popular.

“Heav’nly Donuts is not just an in and out breakfast place.Heav’nly became the community’s hangout place to get a cup of coffee and enjoy their favorite donut,” said Ernie. “That is the kind of place we are.”

The owners

Ernie grew up in the Valley, and said he always wanted his own business. He went to a school in Minneapolis, where he learned the fundamentals of managing a business. He worked at the franchaise Mister Donut which is in the same spot where Heavn’ly Donuts now operates in Derby. Then Dunkin’ Donuts bought Mister Donut and closed the shop, he said.

George Saragas, Ernie’s brother-in-law, finally urged him to open his own business. His brother-in-law owned a Heavn’ly Donuts that eventually became a franchise in Massachusetts, so Ernie wanted to keep the name “Heav’nly Donuts” in the family even though their business are not chained.

Effie was raised in Greece and came to America when she was 19. She makes homemade baklava, Spanish pies and even dog treats she calls Hoja Bonez named after their family dog Hoja.

She started to make her dog homemade treats and eventually started selling these doggy treats at Heav’nly to customers from all over.

“Bacon, Egg, and cheese is also a popular seller for us, said Effie.

“Heav’nly’s drive-through makes it even quicker for the work crowd to come by on their way to work,” said Ernie.

James Badas, 19, the owners’ son and part-time worker, said he is very proud of his parents and how hard they work to run their business.

“I gained a strong work ethic from them that helped me become the individual I am today,” said James. “This is my second home.”

The hardest part of a business is trying to get people in the door, said Ernie.

On June 5th, 2014, Heav’nly Donuts was named the Top 5 Doughnut Shops in Connecticut, according to Jocelyn Ruggiero, writer and blogger from Foodie Fatale.com.

“Through word-of-mouth is how more and more people come through the door,” said Ernie.

Peter Badas, 29, the owners’ other son and full-time manager, will work at both Heav’nly locations once Oxford opens and continue to help the business, said Ernie.

Click on the video below to see Heav’nly Donuts at work. Ernie Badas has a great system of Turnovers: He cuts one sliver for the apple turnover, two slivers for the cherry turnover, and three slivers for the blueberry turnover with a knife. This will help out his employees when customers ask said Ernie.