Difference between revisions of "Lerch's Donuts"

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{{Current Contact Information
+
{{Organization
| address=138 E. Liberty St.
+
|Organization name=Lerch's Donuts
| city=Wooster
+
|Logo=6028211073_9bfa9124b1_z.jpg
| state=Ohio
+
|Industries={{Industry
| zip=44691
+
|Industry sector=Manufacturing
| phone=<ul><li>(330)669-3308</li><li>(330)669-3299</li></ul>
+
|Sub-Industry=Food Manufacturing
| contact=
+
}}{{Industry
| title=
+
|Industry sector=Accommodation and Food Services
| email=
+
|Sub-Industry=Food Services and Drinking Places
| updated=2020-07
+
}}{{Industry
 +
|Industry sector=Retail
 +
|Sub-Industry=Food and Beverage Stores
 
}}
 
}}
 +
|Services=Donuts
 +
|Year Start=1932
 +
|Founded in city=Wooster
 +
|Founded in state=Ohio
 +
|Founders={{Founder
 +
|Name of person=John W. Lerch, Sr.
 +
}}{{Founder
 +
|Name of person=John Lerch, Jr.
 +
}}{{Founder
 +
|Name of person=Joe Snyder
 +
}}{{Founder
 +
|Name of person=Gail Snyder
 +
}}{{Founder
 +
|Name of person=[[John W. Lerch, Sr.]], 1932- ; Mary Jane "Jennie" Meyer
 +
}}
 +
|Status=Active
 +
|Locations={{Location
 +
|Is primary=Yes
 +
|Building number=138
 +
|Street=E. Liberty St.
 +
|City=Wooster
 +
|Township=Wooster
 +
|County=Wayne County
 +
|State=Ohio
 +
|Zipcode=44691
 +
|Country=United States
 +
|Is time bound=No
 +
}}
 +
|Start date=1932
 +
}}
 +
==Lerch Pastry Shop==
 +
 +
==Lerch's Donuts==
 +
 +
==Quick Facts==
 +
* 1932 - Business established according to John W. Lerch obituary
 +
* 1933 - first year Lerch Pastry Shop appeared in Wooster High School Annual
 +
* 1934 - began producing Lerch's Donuts at [[Wayne County Fair]] in [[Wooster, Ohio]]
 +
* 1942 - last year appeared Lerch Pastry Shop in Wooster High School annual
 +
* 1943 - last year appeared in Wooster City Directory as a baker
 +
* 1956 - Trailer parked at [[Hawkins Market]] [[Portage Square Plaza]] during summer and fall month
 +
* 2009 - Celebrated 77 years of making donuts
 +
* 2009 - 75th anniversary at making donuts at the [[Wayne County Fair]] in [[Wooster, Ohio]]
 +
 +
==Newspaper articles==
 +
====Sweet Success for 70-pluis Years: Popularity Keeps Growing====
 +
WOOSTER-- It's a welcome sight in a number of locations, including its permanent one eight months out of the year at Portage Square Plaza, the site of the former [[Hawkins Market]].
 +
 +
The arrangement with Earl Hawkins began with a simple handshake and is "still in force," said Lerch's owner Joe Snyder.
 +
 +
Over the years, Lerch's Donuts has not lost its popularity; and its traditional sugar, cinnamon and plain donuts remain favorites, while more recent offerings -- blue berry and pumpkin -- have gained seasonal appeal.
 +
 +
In 195, Snyder bought the business, which began in the Lerch family in 1932 when it was founded by John Lerch, Sr. His leadership was followed by that of John Lerch, Jr. who took it over in 1950.
 +
 +
"(John Lerch Jr.) actually bought the first trailer," Snyder said.
 +
 +
Previously, the donut enterprise had been housed in everything from a tent to a converted school bus.
  
{{Infobox company
+
In the 1950s, Lerch's donuts began serving its product out of the building next to the grandstand on the [[Wayne County Fairgrounds]].
| name            = Lerch's Donuts
 
| logo            = [[File:6028211073_9bfa9124b1_z.jpg|400px]]
 
| logo_caption    =
 
| image            =
 
| image_caption    =
 
| trading_name    =
 
| native_name      =
 
| native_name_lang = <!-- Use ISO 639-1 code, e.g. "fr" for French. Enter multiple names in different languages using {{tl|lang}}, instead. -->
 
| romanized_name  =
 
| former_name      =
 
| former type      =
 
| type            = Doughnut Shops; Bakery Products; Bakery
 
| traded_as        =
 
| industry        = Accommodation & Food Services; Manufacturing; Retail
 
| fate            = Active
 
| predecessor      =
 
| successor        =
 
| foundation      = [[Wooster, Ohio]] ({{Start date|1932}})
 
| founder          = [[John W. Lerch, Sr.]], 1932- ; Mary Jane "Jennie" {{Surname|Meyer}} Baker and sister-in-law to John W. Lerch; [[John Lerch, Jr.]] (1995), [[Joe Snyder]] (1995), [[Gail Snyder]] (1995)
 
| defunct          = <!-- {{End date|YYYY|MM|DD}} -->
 
| location_city    = original bakery? [[E. Liberty St., Wooster, Ohio|138 E. Liberty St.]],  [[Portage Square Plaza]], [[Wooster, Ohio]], [[Wayne County Fair]], [[Wooster, Ohio]], [[Ashland, Ohio]], [[Ashland County Fair]], [[Lowe's Plaza]]
 
| location_country = United States
 
| locations        = 3
 
| area_served      = [[Wayne County, Ohio]]
 
| key_people      = John {{Surname|Lerch}}, Jr. (1995); Joe {{Surname|Snyder}} (1995); Gail {{Surname|Snyder}} (1995)
 
| products        = Donuts
 
| brands          =
 
| production      =
 
| services        =
 
| revenue          =
 
| operating_income =
 
| net_income      =
 
| aum              = <!-- Only for financial services companies -->
 
| assets          =
 
| equity          =
 
| owner            =
 
| num_employees    =
 
| parent          =
 
| divisions        =
 
| subsid          =
 
| homepage        = {{URL|lerchsdonuts.com}}
 
| footnotes        =
 
| intl            =
 
| bodystyle        =
 
}}
 
  
==Locations==
+
When the junior Lerch introduced the first trailer, his plan was "to do the fair circuit," Snyder said.
*  {{Address | number=138 | street=E. Liberty St. | city=Wooster | state=Ohio | zip=44691 | categorize=true | primary=true | township=Wooster }}
 
  
==City Directories==
+
But after one rainy day of selling donuts in Columbus, Snyder said, the younger Lerch decided, "I can do better in Wayne County."
*  1933 - Wooster High School Annual - first year Lerch Pastry Shop business was advertised
 
*  1942 - Wooster High School annual - last year Lerch Pastry Shop business was advertised
 
*  1943 - Wooster City Directory
 
  
==Comprehensive History==
+
In fact, one third of Lerch's annual sales are accrued in the six days of the Wayne County Fair, where employees go through "literally tons of sugar and shortening" and make "thousands of dozens of donuts."
<!-- Long version of the company history -->
 
===Lerch Pastry Shop===
 
  
 +
During that week, 50 employees rotate through a 24-hour-a-day schedule.
  
===Lerch's Donuts===
+
At 3 a.m., business may be a little slow, Snyder said, but by 4 a.m. "it picks up again."
  
 +
"We have a great working relationship with the fair," he said, which earns a portion of the business's profits.
  
==Slogans==
+
"The better we do, the better they do," he said, adding, "They tell me I'm the No. 1 food vendor there."
<!-- Bullet listing with date, EX. 1956 - Slogan title -->
 
 
  
==Historical documents==
+
While Lerch's donuts trailer do rotate among a number of fairs and festivals, he said, "We're best known in Wayne County," even though, licensed for "anywhere in Ohio," they travel, for example, to Cleveland.
<!-- No Images - Business Documents with historical value -->
 
 
  
==Timeline==
+
Lerch's Donuts has its own recipe, which has been used for 82 years, Snyder said. "We're in our 83rd."
<!-- Bullet listing with date, EX. 1956 - March 6, Brief timeline -->
 
*  1932 - Business established according to John W. Lerch obituary
 
*  1933 - first year Lerch Pastry Shop appeared in Wooster High School Annual
 
*  1934 - began producing Lerch's Donuts at [[Wayne County Fair]] in [[Wooster, Ohio]]
 
*  1942 - last year appeared Lerch Pastry Shop in Wooster High School annual
 
*  1943 - last year appeared in Wooster City Directory as a baker
 
*  1956 - Trailer parked at [[Hawkins Market]] [[Portage Square Plaza]] during summer and fall month
 
*  2009 - Celebrated 77 years of making donuts
 
*  2009 - 75th anniversary at making donuts at the [[Wayne County Fair]] in [[Wooster, Ohio]]
 
  
==Gallery==
+
The donuts are made by hand, he said, pointing out, an automated system wouldn't fit in the space available and wouldn't make a sufficient number of donuts.
<!-- This is the place for Images -->
 
  
===Business Letterheads===
+
When a Lerch's donut craving hits, a patron may use the schedule on the company website to pinpoint within 6 feets of the trailer on any given day.
  
 +
At this time, four mobile concession trailers circulate among a variety of venues.
  
===Business Photos===
+
"This is the newest one," Snyder said recently from the parking lot of Lowe's Home Improvement in Wooster.
<!-- This section may include both internal and external photos -->
 
  
==Newspaper articles==
+
What Snyder loves most if the loyalty of customers who may be sentimental about Lerch's product.
<!-- NEWSPAPER ARTICLES GO UNDER HEADINGS BELOW -->
 
===Newspaper full-text articles===
 
====Sweet Success for 70-pluis Years: Popularity Keeps Growing====
 
WOOSTER-- It's a welcome sight in a number of locations, including its permanent one eight months out of the year at Portage Square Plaza, the site of the former [[Hawkins Market]].
 
  
The arrangement with Earl {{Surname|Hawkins}} began with a simple handshake and is "still in force," said Lerch's owner Joe {{Surname|Snyder}}.
+
One came to the fair all the way from his new home in Florida, telling Snyder he was "reliving (his) childhood."
  
Over the years, Lerch's Donuts has not lost its popularity; and its traditional sugar, cinnamon and plain donuts remain favorites, while more recent offerings -- blue berry and pumpkin -- have gained seasonal appeal.
+
"You can't buy that kind of publicity," Snyder said.
  
In 195, Snyder bought the business, which began in the Lerch family in 1932 when it was founded by John {{Surname|Lerch}}, Sr. His leadership was followed by that of John {{Surname|Lerch}}, Jr. who took it over in 1950.
+
"We're just really blessed," he said. "We want to keep it up another 80 years."
  
"(John Lerch Jr.) actually bought the first trailer," Snyder said.
+
"It won't go away," Snyder said.
  
Previously, the donut enterprise had been housed in everything from a tent to a converted school bus.
+
"It was an honor and a privilege for me to nominate Lerch's Donuts for the Small Business of the Year award," said Greg Long.
  
In the 1950s, Lerch's donuts began serving its product out of the building next to the grandstand on the [[Wayne County Fairgrounds]].
+
"I consider them to be an institution in Wayne County and one of the most widely known and loved businesses," Long said. "Their donuts and waffles are enjoyed by many and sought out when returning to Wayne County for a visit."
  
<ref>Sweet Success for 70-plus Years: Popularity Keeps Growing. Linda {{Surname|Hall}}. Daily Record, Wooster, Ohio. 2016 June 16.</ref>
+
Reporter Linda Hall can be reached at 330-264-1125, Ext 2230 or lhall@the-daily-record.com. She is @lindahallTDR on Twitter. <ref>Sweet Success for 70-plus Years: Popularity Keeps Growing. Linda Hall. Daily Record, Wooster, Ohio. 2016 June 16.</ref>
  
 
===Newspaper ads===
 
===Newspaper ads===
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</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
===Newspaper citations with no attached images===
+
 
 
{{Daily Record article
 
{{Daily Record article
 
| title = Mix 1 Ton Sugar, 2 Tons Shortening
 
| title = Mix 1 Ton Sugar, 2 Tons Shortening
Line 144: Line 136:
 
}}
 
}}
  
==References==
 
 
<references />
 
<references />
  
==What Links Here==
+
[[Category:Organizations]]
{{Special:Whatlinkshere/{{FULLPAGENAME}}}}
 
 
 
[[Category:138 E. Liberty St., Wooster, Ohio]]
 
[[Category:Accommodation & Food Services businesses in Ashland, Ohio]]
 
[[Category:Accommodation & Food Services businesses in Ashland, Ohio (active)]]
 
[[Category:Accommodation & Food Services businesses in Wayne Township, Wayne County, Ohio]]
 
[[Category:Accommodation & Food Services businesses in Wayne Township, Wayne County, Ohio (active)]]
 
[[Category:Accommodation & Food Services businesses in Wooster, Ohio]]
 
[[Category:Accommodation & Food Services businesses in Wooster, Ohio (active)]]
 
[[Category:Active businesses in the Accommodation & Food Services industry]]
 
[[Category:Active businesses in the Manufacturing industry]]
 
[[Category:Active businesses in the Retail industry]]
 
[[Category:Bakery (active)]]
 
[[Category:Bakery in Ashland, Ohio]]
 
[[Category:Bakery in Ashland, Ohio (active)]]
 
[[Category:Bakery in Wayne Township, Wayne County, Ohio]]
 
[[Category:Bakery in Wayne Township, Wayne County, Ohio (active)]]
 
[[Category:Bakery in Wooster, Ohio]]
 
[[Category:Bakery in Wooster, Ohio (active)]]
 
[[Category:Bakery Products (active)]]
 
[[Category:Bakery Products in Ashland, Ohio]]
 
[[Category:Bakery Products in Ashland, Ohio (active)]]
 
[[Category:Bakery Products in Wayne Township, Wayne County, Ohio]]
 
[[Category:Bakery Products in Wayne Township, Wayne County, Ohio (active)]]
 
[[Category:Bakery Products in Wooster, Ohio]]
 
[[Category:Bakery Products in Wooster, Ohio (active)]]
 
[[Category:Businesses established in 1932]]
 
[[Category:Businesses in Ashland, Ohio]]
 
[[Category:Businesses in Wayne Township, Wayne County, Ohio]]
 
[[Category:Businesses in Wooster, Ohio]]
 
[[Category:Businesses in the Accommodation & Food Services industry]]
 
[[Category:Businesses in the Manufacturing industry]]
 
[[Category:Businesses in the Retail industry]]
 
[[Category:Doughnut Shops]]
 
[[Category:Doughnut Shops (active)]]
 
[[Category:Doughnut Shops in Ashland, Ohio]]
 
[[Category:Doughnut Shops in Ashland, Ohio (active)]]
 
[[Category:Doughnut Shops in Wayne Township, Wayne County, Ohio]]
 
[[Category:Doughnut Shops in Wayne Township, Wayne County, Ohio (active)]]
 
[[Category:Doughnut Shops in Wooster, Ohio]]
 
[[Category:Doughnut Shops in Wooster, Ohio (active)]]
 
[[Category:Lerch Pastry Shop]]
 
[[Category:Lerch's Donuts]]
 
[[Category:Manufacturing businesses in Ashland, Ohio]]
 
[[Category:Manufacturing businesses in Ashland, Ohio (active)]]
 
[[Category:Manufacturing businesses in Wayne Township, Wayne County, Ohio]]
 
[[Category:Manufacturing businesses in Wayne Township, Wayne County, Ohio (active)]]
 
[[Category:Manufacturing businesses in Wooster, Ohio]]
 
[[Category:Manufacturing businesses in Wooster, Ohio (active)]]
 
[[Category:Retail businesses in Ashland, Ohio]]
 
[[Category:Retail businesses in Ashland, Ohio (active)]]
 
[[Category:Retail businesses in Wayne Township]]
 
[[Category:Vendor's]]
 
[[Category:Wayne County Fair]]
 
[[Category:Wayne County, Ohio]]
 
[[Category:Retail businesses in Wayne Township, Wayne County, Ohio (active)]]
 
[[Category:Retail businesses in Wooster, Ohio]]
 
[[Category:Retail businesses in Wooster, Ohio (active)]]
 

Latest revision as of 15:46, 13 February 2023

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. ...

6028211073 9bfa9124b1 z.jpg
About
Name
  • Lerch's Donuts
Retail
  • Food and Beverage Stores
Manufacturing
  • Food Manufacturing
Accommodation and Food Services
  • Food Services and Drinking Places
Services
  • Donuts
Facts
Founded
  • 1932
    Wooster,Ohio
Related
Key Persons
Founders
Location
    • 138 E. Liberty St., Wooster, Ohio, United States

Lerch Pastry Shop

Lerch's Donuts

Quick Facts

  • 1932 - Business established according to John W. Lerch obituary
  • 1933 - first year Lerch Pastry Shop appeared in Wooster High School Annual
  • 1934 - began producing Lerch's Donuts at Wayne County Fair in Wooster, Ohio
  • 1942 - last year appeared Lerch Pastry Shop in Wooster High School annual
  • 1943 - last year appeared in Wooster City Directory as a baker
  • 1956 - Trailer parked at Hawkins Market Portage Square Plaza during summer and fall month
  • 2009 - Celebrated 77 years of making donuts
  • 2009 - 75th anniversary at making donuts at the Wayne County Fair in Wooster, Ohio

Newspaper articles

Sweet Success for 70-pluis Years: Popularity Keeps Growing

WOOSTER-- It's a welcome sight in a number of locations, including its permanent one eight months out of the year at Portage Square Plaza, the site of the former Hawkins Market.

The arrangement with Earl Hawkins began with a simple handshake and is "still in force," said Lerch's owner Joe Snyder.

Over the years, Lerch's Donuts has not lost its popularity; and its traditional sugar, cinnamon and plain donuts remain favorites, while more recent offerings -- blue berry and pumpkin -- have gained seasonal appeal.

In 195, Snyder bought the business, which began in the Lerch family in 1932 when it was founded by John Lerch, Sr. His leadership was followed by that of John Lerch, Jr. who took it over in 1950.

"(John Lerch Jr.) actually bought the first trailer," Snyder said.

Previously, the donut enterprise had been housed in everything from a tent to a converted school bus.

In the 1950s, Lerch's donuts began serving its product out of the building next to the grandstand on the Wayne County Fairgrounds.

When the junior Lerch introduced the first trailer, his plan was "to do the fair circuit," Snyder said.

But after one rainy day of selling donuts in Columbus, Snyder said, the younger Lerch decided, "I can do better in Wayne County."

In fact, one third of Lerch's annual sales are accrued in the six days of the Wayne County Fair, where employees go through "literally tons of sugar and shortening" and make "thousands of dozens of donuts."

During that week, 50 employees rotate through a 24-hour-a-day schedule.

At 3 a.m., business may be a little slow, Snyder said, but by 4 a.m. "it picks up again."

"We have a great working relationship with the fair," he said, which earns a portion of the business's profits.

"The better we do, the better they do," he said, adding, "They tell me I'm the No. 1 food vendor there."

While Lerch's donuts trailer do rotate among a number of fairs and festivals, he said, "We're best known in Wayne County," even though, licensed for "anywhere in Ohio," they travel, for example, to Cleveland.

Lerch's Donuts has its own recipe, which has been used for 82 years, Snyder said. "We're in our 83rd."

The donuts are made by hand, he said, pointing out, an automated system wouldn't fit in the space available and wouldn't make a sufficient number of donuts.

When a Lerch's donut craving hits, a patron may use the schedule on the company website to pinpoint within 6 feets of the trailer on any given day.

At this time, four mobile concession trailers circulate among a variety of venues.

"This is the newest one," Snyder said recently from the parking lot of Lowe's Home Improvement in Wooster.

What Snyder loves most if the loyalty of customers who may be sentimental about Lerch's product.

One came to the fair all the way from his new home in Florida, telling Snyder he was "reliving (his) childhood."

"You can't buy that kind of publicity," Snyder said.

"We're just really blessed," he said. "We want to keep it up another 80 years."

"It won't go away," Snyder said.

"It was an honor and a privilege for me to nominate Lerch's Donuts for the Small Business of the Year award," said Greg Long.

"I consider them to be an institution in Wayne County and one of the most widely known and loved businesses," Long said. "Their donuts and waffles are enjoyed by many and sought out when returning to Wayne County for a visit."

Reporter Linda Hall can be reached at 330-264-1125, Ext 2230 or lhall@the-daily-record.com. She is @lindahallTDR on Twitter. [1]

Newspaper ads


  1. Sweet Success for 70-plus Years: Popularity Keeps Growing. Linda Hall. Daily Record, Wooster, Ohio. 2016 June 16.
  2. Coshocton Tribune 3 Oct 1938, p. 8.
  3. Orrville Courier Crescent 12 Oct 1939, p. 3.
  4. The Evening Independent Massillon 3 Jan 1945, p. 10.
  5. the Chronicle Telegram Elyria 4 Jan 1945, p. 12.
  6. Sandusky Register Star News 3 Jul 1945, p. 9.
  7. Sandusky Register Star News 6 Jul 1945, p. 10.
  8. Coshocton Tribune. 26 Sep 1945, p. 6.