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LUDINGTON — The famous Clare, Michigan doughnut shop, Cops & Doughnuts, announced today that it is purchasing McDonald’s Bakery, located at 103 E. Dowland St. The “McDonald’s Precinct” will open on May 15. The business has also purchased Sutherland’s Bakery in Bay City.
“Just like Clare, our nine cop-owners are on a mission to save historic bakeries around Michigan and even beyond,” said President Greg “Ryno” Rynearson. McDonalds Bakery in Ludington has been run by the McDonald family since 1898. Sutherland’s Bakery in Bay City also dates back to the late 1800’s.
“It is an honor to be part of saving these historic bakeries,” said Vice President Al “Bubba” White. White said the two bakeries are just the start. “We have our police sights set on several other locations and we are always looking for more,” White said. “Soon we will be offering franchise opportunities coast to coast nationwide.”
In May 2015 McDonald’s Bakery was named the Ludington & Scottville Area Chamber of Commerce 2014 Business of the Year. The business has been owned and operated by the same family for the past 126 years. Mike and Ellamae McDonald bought the bakery from Mike’s dad, James, in 1960. Now their son, Mike and his wife, Terry, own the bakery with them, making it a fourth generation business.
Cops & Doughnuts began in 2009 when all nine full time officers of the Clare City Police Department pooled their own money to save the cities only doughnut shop from going out of business.
The original Cops & Doughnuts bakery in Clare has added approximately 60 new jobs to the community. The Gaylord location brought eight new jobs to northern Lower Peninsula. The new Cops & Doughnuts locations in Ludington and Bay City collectively will create about 20 new jobs.
“We have been so blessed with the support of our Clare community family and have been equally blessed by the communities of Ludington and Bay City,” Rynearson said. “We look forward to making even more friendships in the months and years to come.”
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