CAROLINA BEACH, NC — The calendar officially informs us of when one season changes to another. Few people really pay attention to the calendar. We have our own way to gauge things.
Summer starts when school is let out. Autumn begins when the first leaf drops. Winter – if you live in the North — is underway with the first snowfall. And here in the Cape Fear Region, spring officially arrives when a donut store in Carolina Beach opens for the season.
Britts Donuts, located on the Carolina Beach Boardwalk, will open this Friday on April’s Fools. Between now and Memorial Day the store will only be open on the weekends. On Fridays from 4 p.m. – 10 p.m, Saturdays 8:30 a.m. – 10 p.m., and Sundays, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. After Memorial Day the shop will be open seven days a week until right after Labor Day, when it closes again or the season.
Britts has been a local landmark since it opened in 1939. It has won numerous awards and been featured in several national publications.
Britts Donuts is currently owned by Bobby Nivens who purchased the store in the early 1970’s. Last year, Nivens told Port City Daily he doesn’t count how many doughnuts are sold from Britts annually. However, he estimates when he bought the business it was churning out 20% less than it does today. The doughnuts’ popularity grows every year, Nivens said, but especially over the
last decade.
last decade.
For out of towners, here are a couple of rookie tips. Britts donuts come only one way, glazed! They are served piping hot and are best consumed within 30 minutes. Last year one donut cost $1. For $10 you can get a whole dozen. Bring cash because Britt’s does not take credit or debit cards.