A bevy of customers streamed into the LaMar’s donut shop this morning, most to satisfy a sweet tooth, or two, on National Donut Day.
Cecilia and Bob Peterson of Denver — with their 3-year-old son, Zane, in tow — bought a dozen donuts for staffers and students at Renaissance Children’s Center in Lakewood, where Zane is celebrating his last day of attendance.
Smacking down the last bite of a donut, Zane alternately stomped his feet and spun around and around in a happy, satisfied dance as he proudly announced: “I ate it all up!”
Cecilia, carrying the donuts, gave Zane a cheer and Bob patted his son on the head.
Inside the store Gillian McCune and her 13-year-old daughter, Lilly Lungren, bought donuts to celebrate Lilly’s first day at her new summer job as a page at Denver’s Historic Molly Brown House.
“Can I get a glazed donut?” Lilly asked her mom.
“Sure!” was the reply.
McCune, who rode a bicycle to the shop, said they live close by.
“We can smell the donuts every day,” McCune said. “Every day we’re tempted.”
Lungren said Bavarian cream is her favorite.
Shop owner Paul Villa Maria and his employees were ready for this morning’s onslaught; his son, 13-year-old Zach, was on hand to help.
Dressed in a blue LaMar’s corporate shirt and with his hair neatly combed, Zach looked, and worked, like a budding businessman greeting customers at the door and asking if they’d like a free donut to celebrate National Donut Day.
Zach explained that his dad’s business is partnering with the Make A Wish Foundation, and he suggested a dollar donation.
On summer break from Ute Meadows Elementary School in Littleton, Zach said he enjoys helping with the family business. He also gets to satisfy a donut craving.
“I like all of them,” he said of the product line. “But if I had to chose a favorite, it would be the White Fluff.”
Paul Villa Maria said National Donut Day, the first Friday in June, is among the three busiest days of the year, along with Father’s Day and Mother’s Day.
He expected the shop, on West 6th Avenue and Kalamath Street, to move about 5,000 donuts today.
“He’s the future proprietor,” Villa Maria said while nodding at his son. “So I can sit at home in my chair.”
Kieran Nicholson: 303-954-1822 or knicholson@denverpost.com.
