Jul 16th, 2009
Hand over the dough(nuts)
Giving new meaning to the “serve and protect” slogan, the police force in Clare, MI went the extra mile for their favorite doughnut shop: they bought it.
The historic Clare City Bakery – opened in 1896 – was within weeks of closing when the 9 members of the Clare police force banded together to save their favorite snack shop. They’ve now been open for almost 3 weeks under the new management, and with their grand re-opening they also launched the Cops & Doughnuts “Shameless Commerce Division” via CafePress.
One interesting and ironic factoid: the bakery used to be the hangout and hideout of the insidious Detroit “Purple Gang,” a group of crafty bootleggers and hijackers that used the bakery basement coal bin as a hiding spot when things got a little hot.
In speaking with one of the new employees, I was told that working in the shop has thus far been “really fun” and that the Apple Fritters are her favorite. Whether or not being in good with the town police force has led her to a wanton life of casually observed stop signs and expired parking meters, however, is off the record.
So if you’re nowhere near Clare but want to support these hometown heroes, just pony up for a Cops & Doughnuts T-shirt. It may not be as tasty as an Apple Fritter, but hey – it has far less calories.
