GREENFIELD – When people think s’mores, they think about sitting around a campfire. But on Saturday, when twin sisters Sidra Baranoski and Sabra Billings hold their grand reopening of Adams Donut Shop on Federal Street, they’ll offer customers the opportunity to grab a Pierce Bros. roasted coffee and a s’mores doughnut, or whatever classic or specialty flavor they’d like.
The sisters, who have lived in Franklin County for most of their lives, closed on the purchase of the landmark business Wednesday. They recently signed a lease on the building.
“When I saw that Carrie (Brown) was selling the business this summer, I called Sidra right away,” Billings said.
Brown took over the shop in September 2014. A few months later, she learned from the city that she might have to shut down because firefighters discovered the fryer hood didn’t meet code or have a fire-suppression system. She also learned it was going to cost between $20,000 and $30,000 to replace it and she didn’t have the money to do so, but residents from across the county and beyond stepped up and raised the money.
When the pandemic hit the area, Brown had to close, and in late June or early July announced she wouldn’t reopen. Adams Donuts launched in Brattleboro, Vt. in the mid-1930s, and it has sold doughnuts on Federal Street since 1965.
Billings and Baranoski said they are already selling gift certificates.
“People have been stopping in as we’ve been getting the shop ready to reopen,” Billings said. “Some asked for gift certificates, something we hadn’t immediately been thinking about. But, as soon as they did, we got some ready.”
The two women said when they reopen the shop Saturday, customers will have a choice of numerous classic doughnuts, as well as new flavors like peach cobbler, caramel latte and cannoli. They said they’ll test out different flavors as they go and see what people like.
There will be no indoor seating, customers will need to wear masks and social distance, and the number of customers in the store at one time will be limited, but there will be some seating outside thanks to a grant from the Greenfield Business Association, they said. Along the wall as people enter the front door on Federal Street, there are memories people have written about their experiences at Adams Donut Shop, as well as framed newspaper articles and advertisements and photos from the past.
“We’ve met most of the past owners,” Billings said. “That’s been a real pleasure.”
“We feel like we’re part of something, part of a family we never knew, but are getting to know,” Baranoski said.
Both sisters said their husbands and families have been “awesome and extremely supportive.” They said family will work with them for now, until they are on their feet and know just how much help they need to hire. Billings, who worked in manufacturing and food operations for years, has three children, and Baranoski, who worked in administrative positions for years, has two children.
The women have given the inside of the building a makeover, installing a new floor and new counter painted mint green, and have given the walls a fresh coat of yellow paint. They’ve displayed what they believe is the original price list, along with an antique scale, dropper and roller that they both said could be used, if needed.
“We both have always been interested in owning a business together,” Billings said. “We’ve talked about it for years. We knew we wanted some kind of business we’d enjoy, and we both love to bake, so this seemed like a great fit.”
“We admit we’re not doughnut experts, but that’s what we plan to become,” Baranoski said. “It was the right time for both of us. The opportunity presented itself and we took it.”
Baranoski and Billings have finished the certification and licensing processes, so all that’s left to do, they said, is open, and when they do, they will have “officially” owned the business for three days.
The women have partnered with Fogbusters Coffee Works by Pierce Bros., which developed Nice Blonde Roast called Twice As Nice — both women are blondes — specifically for Adams Donut Shop. The blonde custom blend is Baranoski’s favorite.
“We worked with Pierce Bros. directly to develop a custom blend we both really like,” Baranoski said. “We’ll also serve teas, milks and juices and Pierce Bros. Moka Java, a medium-roast coffee, as well as decaf.”
The sisters said it is their goal to increase partnerships with other local businesses.
“Specialty doughnuts are a popular thing right now, so we’ll be experimenting with that, but certainly we will offer the great classics, as well,” Baranoski said. “We’ll be offering some of the other popular treats, like fritters, muffins and cinnamon swirls. We’ll also be offering breakfast sandwiches.”
They don’t plan to offer lunch for now but will explore the possibility in the future, they said. They will be offering curbside service so that people can order a half-dozen or dozen doughnuts online and never have to enter the building, if they choose not to during the pandemic.
The doughnut shop will be open Wednesday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. They are considering making adjustments to their hours around the holidays.
“We’ve received a lot of feedback and we’ve listened, so we’re ready to reopen,” Baranoski said.
All the women ask is for people to be patient as they reopen and learn what new and longtime customers want and like.
“The first few weeks we’ll be a learning curve for us,” Billings said. “We’ll be doing everything for our customers.”