Mmmm, Doughnuts
Fort Worth gourmet doughnut shop keeps Camp Bowie bakery space frosted
UPDATE: Dough Boy Donuts opens for business Wednesday, August 15. Regular hours are 6 am-6 pm Monday and Wednesday through Saturday; 8 am-12 pm Sunday; closed Tuesday.
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When one oven door closes, another opens. Fort Worth gourmet doughnut purveyor Dough Boy Donuts will open its first storefront in the space recently vacated by Leah's Sweet Treats, at 4910 Camp Bowie Blvd.
Dough Boy owner Melvin Roberson announced in a Facebook post with many capital letters on March 24 — Leah's final day in business — that he and his team would be keeping the space sugared and frosted.
"We are EXTREMELY sad that our friends at Leah's Sweet Treats are closing; HOWEVER, we are THRILLED to announce that DOUGH BOY DONUTS will be taking over their space!," the post says.
Roberson hopes to open by mid- to late summer and will first work on revamping the space to give it his own spin.
He launched his gourmet doughnut business in 2015 by order only. He bought a food truck in 2016 and hit the road, the same year he quit his job as kitchen manager at The Keg Steakhouse & Bar. Fans line up for his made-to-order glazed goodies at the Clearfork Farmers Markets on most Saturdays, and around town at breweries, bars, and occasionally in Dallas’ Bishop Arts District.
Opening a brick-and-mortar doughnut shop was part of the plan all along. He says Leah's owner Leah Loose reached out to him a few months ago about the potential opportunity to take over her location. She closed her bakery after six years in business, telling customers that she wants to focus on her family.
“I met her and her husband, Aaron, while I was working an event,” Roberson says. “We struck up a conversation and stayed somewhat close. Our friendship picked up over the last year or two as I was inquiring about another space on Camp Bowie and wanted her opinion.”
Dough Boy is known for wild doughnut flavors like maple glaze topped with candied, Sriracha-tinged bacon, lime zest glazed garnished with crushed, salted pistachios, and cereal-topped varieties that include Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Fruity Pebbles, and Lucky Charms.
In the new shop, Roberson will rotate seasonal flavors and feature an “off-the-wall” doughnut of the month. Patrons can also expect good coffee.
“I’m leaning towards a local company but want to feature different roasters monthly,” he says. “I think we’ll start with a plain, good drip coffee and expand down the road.”
Operating days are still in the air, but hours are tentatively planned for 6 am to 6 pm to cater to those with afternoon doughnut cravings.
Gourmet doughnut shops are on a roll in Fort Worth. In early February, FunkyTown Donuts announced it was opening a second location in Sundance Square, across from Bass Performance Hall.
