It’s hard to picture Houston without our beloved Shipley Do-Nuts. The first shop opened in 1936 on Crockett Street, and their warm glazed doughnuts have remained a delightful staple of the city ever since. The franchise was recently sold to a private equity firm in California, which made some Houstonians nervous about the future of Shipley. So, how did this beloved donut shop become an icon in Houston?
The Start of Shipley
Lawrence Shipley Sr., the founder of the doughnut shop, learned more about the donut business working at his wife’s parent’s donut shop in Dallas. When he moved back to Houston, he wanted to create the perfect donut that could withstand our city’s humid and hot climate. It wasn’t easy. He had to create a new recipe. And if Houstonians have any say in it, he nailed it! The glaze on Shipley’s donuts is still legendary! When Shipley Sr. opened that first shop, a dozen donuts sold for only five cents. Word quickly spread. And as their donuts and coffee became more popular, Shipley Sr. and his wife, Lillie, opened a headquarters on North Main Street in 1952 with the dream of franchising the business.
Shipley Continues to Grow
His son, Lawrence Shipley Jr., eventually took over the business and had a bigger vision for the brand. He saw the shop selling more varieties of donuts and kolaches. Under his leadership, the company expanded to include nearly 330 stores across the South. The company continued as a family business until 2021 when an Austin-based private equity firm bought it. Under new ownership, Shipley’s sales more than doubled, and the franchise continued to expand. Today, it’s not just a Houston brand. You can find Shipley Do-Nuts in more than a dozen states.
What To Eat at Shipley’s
- My favorite Shipley location is the one on Scott Street in Third Ward. Growing up, I went there almost every Sunday after church for a warm glazed doughnut fresh out of the oven, It’s still my go-to choice.
- This is what City Cast Houston Host Raheel Ramzanali always orders: “1 Hoffy Twist, 1 blueberry glazed cake donut, and 2 glazed donuts … yes, I'm pre-diabetic.”
- City Cast Houston Producer Carlignon Jones' love for Shipley started early: “When I was a kid, me and my mom would go every morning as our bonding time. I would always order a donut with chocolate icing and sprinkles, but nowadays I'm more of a glazed donut girl.”
