Margarita doughnuts? Yep. This Bellingham shop tickles tastebuds, supports community
This Bellingham doughnut shop offers a unique menu of flavors that change every day, keeping customers on their toes with unique flavors, while also offering free treats to those in need.
Jo Joes Doughnuts opened in December 2021 and is in the process of changing its name to JoJo’s Doughnuts. The shop has quickly become a staple in Bellingham and often sells out of popular flavors quickly, such as margarita, cookies and cream, cosmic brownie, matcha tea, caramel toasted coconut, white chocolate mocha, green apple, strawberry lemonade and more.
The shop has about 12 doughnut flavors each day with vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options, as well as homemade cinnamon rolls and dog doughnuts.
“Our goal is to make doughnuts that just about everyone can eat! The whole point is being an equal-opportunity doughnut experience! The feeling of becoming a real part of the community we all love is an important part of why we are still making this go,” JoAnna Dutton, owner of Jo Joe wrote in an email to The Bellingham Herald.
The unique flavors Jo Joe is known for are usually inspired by treats the staff eat, customer requests or food combinations Dutton and Bella Claflin, Diva Donut Designer, or the main flavor creator, come up with. The current flavors are announced on the shop’s Instagram and Facebook pages.
The most popular flavors, which the shop often sells out of within hours of opening, are the tiger tail with maple and chocolate drizzle, classic glazed, cosmic brownie, Boston cream, Key lime pie, and cookies and cream, according to Dutton. Along with classic cinnamon rolls, the bakery also makes savory rolls with hot Cheetos or bacon, cheddar and jalapenos. Jo Joe Doughnuts also serves coffee from Bellingham Coffee Roasters.
The shop allows customers to order ahead and reserve doughnuts before they sell out. Orders can be placed by texting or calling 360-820-6181, or by messaging the shop on Instagram. Pre-orders are paid for at pick-up and must be picked up by noon.
But the doughnut shop does more than just provide tasty treats to the community. The shop’s “Love and Doughnuts” campaign provides free doughnuts and coffee to those in need.
“I know some of our customers are out in our houseless community. I have built relationships with a lot of them. It’s surreal to hear their stories. So, a hot cup of coffee is a huge deal to them, something they can count on. They humble me daily. I hope to always be a safe space,” Dutton wrote.
Customers can donate to the campaign to help offset the price of giving out the free doughnuts and drinks through the @love-and-doughnuts Venmo account.
“I really hope to set the standards for being a real part of the community. It’s about being present and helpful. We love what we do,” Dutton wrote.
The doughnuts are also popular online, receiving a 4-star rating from 34 Yelp reviews, with one customer asking “How can donuts be this good?”
Read Erin M.'s review of Jo Jos Doughnuts on Yelp
Jo Joes Doughnuts is open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday. The shop is located at 1301 Commercial St.
