Founded in 2022 by Jim Watkins and his family, Sons Donuts has been serving Mountain Brook patrons through its Lane Parke location with pride. The former owner and founder of Steel City Pops, Jim sold that business in 2019 before deciding to take on a new venture with his family that was just as sweet as popsicles: donuts. Here, he details the founding of Sons Donuts and why he’s grateful for his customers’ support.
How did you get started in the food industry?
Back in 2011, I was turning 40, and I always wanted to start a restaurant. So, I left my job and went to work for a good friend, Jan Potter with Dreamcakes Bakery, for several months while I developed my business plan and learned more about the operations side of the restaurant business. After about eight months under Jan’s influence, I took the leap and began building out our first shop, Steel City Pops, in Homewood, with my wife and four sons. We pretty much did everything ourselves, aside from electrical, heating and air and plumbing work. It was super fun, being so hands-on with the building of our business. Once construction was completed, we opened in May 2012. Things really took off for our business, and over the next seven years, we opened 25 shops throughout the South. We sold that business in 2019.
What is the founding story behind Sons Donuts?
In 2019, we began talking with some close friends in business, Ryan and Geri Martha O’Hara —owners of Big Spoon Creamery and Pizza Grace, about launching a concept together. We landed on the idea of Sons Donuts and began the creating and planning. In April 2022, we launched in Avondale. Shortly following our opening, the O’Hara family began growing, and Big Spoon was expanding, so we purchased their portion of Sons Donuts from them. After one-and-a-half years in Avondale, we had the opportunity to relocate to Lane Parke in Mountain Brook. We’ve now been here for two-and-a-half years.
What are the best menu pairings to order, and which would you recommend to newcomers?
Our most popular donuts are our cinnaglaze or our maple brown butter glazed. We always recommend those to newcomers. Also, our coffee is locally roasted by Non-Fiction, and our house and espresso blends were both crafted to pair well with our donuts.
As school starts back this August, which are the best back-to-school items students should try?
We think our minis paired with milk is the perfect after-school treat. All of our fall menu items we love, however! Our Granny Smith Apple and our bourbon pecan are two highlights on the menu, for sure, and our hot chocolate is not to be missed this season. We have so many folks that come in time and again just for that. In the colder months, we sell lots of chai. Our chai is locally made by Sachai, and it is a really special product.
What would you like to say to Mountain Brook patrons for their support?
We love being a part of the Mountain Brook community! The support shown to our business has been very special to us. We love celebrating with them through their school parties, business events, special occasions and just seeing them in our shop daily, getting to know them as new friends. It’s a really special place, and we are grateful.
Sons Donuts is located at 351 Rele Street in Mountain Brook. It is open Sunday-Thursday, 7 a.m.-8 p.m.; and Friday-Saturday, 7 a.m.-9 p.m. For more information, visit sonsdonuts.com.
