Mary’s Donuts opens new location in Lakeside

Let the strawberry milk, coffee, donuts, and powdered sugar lips prevail. The grand opening of Mary’s Donuts in Lakeside was held Oct. 29 with owner Joel Scalzitti presiding over the festive event.

Let the strawberry milk, coffee, donuts, and powdered sugar lips prevail. The grand opening of Mary’s Donuts in Lakeside was held Oct. 29 with owner Joel Scalzitti presiding over the festive event.

El Capitan High School’s girls’ field hockey team loved Mary’s donuts according to customer Lynette Hulsey. Hulsey previously picked up six-dozen for her team and was at the grand opening as well to pick up donut holes for a pumpkin carving party. Hulsey was also the recipient of a $10 Mary’s Donut’s gift card at the grand opening.

“I grew up eating Mary’s donuts in Santee,” said long-time customer Katherine Graham “This is a dream come true.  There is no equal to their cake donut.”

Graham lives closer to the new Lakeside location.  The original Santee shop, which has been around since 1984, recently moved from its Mission Gorge Boulevard location to Carlton Hills Boulevard, also in Santee.

Scalzitti said it has taken five months since the signing of the lease until the soft opening held in early October to open.

“It has 1,750 square feet, with a back patio, and parking in the rear” said Scalzitti.  “Next week (first week of November) it will be open 24 hours with donuts, sandwiches, and salads on the menu.” 

The original Mary of Mary’s Donuts, Mary Hennessey, was on hand during the day along with the Lakeside Chamber of Commerce, a representative from Sen. Joel Anderson’s office as well as a representative from Assemblymember Brian Jones’ office and an estimated 75 attendees for the ribbon cutting.

What will also be familiar to Lakeside residents is the style of signage adorning Mary’s Donuts that was done by local artist David Ybarra. Much of Lakeside’s Maine Avenue showcases Ybarra’s trademark style of murals and signage.

The numbers, up to 94 dozen donuts for a local church’s event, and every single day since their soft opening have thousands more produced and are a testament to Mary’s Donuts popularity.

“The apple fritters are our big sellers.  The cream puffs are very popular around Christmas time as well,” said Scalzitti.  Scalzitti pointed out that pre-ordering helps save time in picking up for events such as office parties or other big events.

Many may remember Scalzitti from his days as a barber in Santee. Scalzitti also represents Division 5 on the Helix Water District’s board of directors. 

“Mary (Hennesey) still comes in at 4 a.m. most days and fires up the kitchens” continued Scalzitti. And what keeps the bakers like Jens Burkhart Jr. going?  The music of Michael Jackson and James Brown said Scalzitti with music soothing the wild beasts, motivating the bakers, and the customers in this instance.

Scalzitti offered an emoji inspired way to remember their new address, 10101 Maine Avenue, with the visual of chocolate bar (upright), donut ring, chocolate bar, donut ring, and chocolate bar.  Not many of their customers would fight against those visuals.  Let the “donut-ing” of Lakeside begin.