Dilla's Delights Donut Shop opens downtown

DETROIT (WJBK) - The first Dilla's Delights Donut Shop opened this morning in Detroit. It's a place to remember a Detroit music icon and to grab a tasty treat. The shop is named after J Dilla, the iconic hip hop artist from Detroit. His uncle, Herman Hayes, founded the specialty donut business in honor of his nephew.

The donuts sold at the shop are made down the road, though, at Avalon International Breads. They're delivered to the new shop -- and when they're gone, they're gone. The donuts are handcrafted by Uncle Herman, and are made from 100 percent organic flour. The shop ran out of donuts three times on opening day.

"We wish we would've had enough to last until at least afternoon, but we kept bringing batches in and they kept going just like that!" says store manager Glenn Telton.

He says one of Dilla's favorite treats was donuts, and that Uncle Herman used to make them for him as a kid. His last album before he died was also titled "Donuts." He died in 2006.

"This is all about bringing something to the community and then help Dilla's kids. We're going to have them come in here and learn the business, something they can learn and take over when it's time," Telton says.

The shop is open Monday through Saturday from 5 a.m. until sellout. It's located at 242 John R Street, near the Detroit Opera House.