Paczki Day: Donut Den Ready For Year's Busiest Day

JOLIET, IL — Joliet small business owner Bruce Aronson is counting down the days to Paczki Day when his restaurant on Theodore Street becomes a madhouse.

It's his busiest day of the year at the Joliet Donut Den, 3043 Theodore St.

On Tuesday, March 1, Donut Den expects to sell more than 10,000 paczkis. However, the weather makes a huge difference in terms of sales. Donut Den is open from 4 a.m. to 4 p.m.

"Last year was tough with the big snow that day, 6 inches," Aronson remembered.

So far, pre-orders are going well, Aronson told Joliet Patch. In fact, Donut Den just achieved an all-time record order. Hollywood Casino in Joliet pre-ordered 500 paczkis, he said.

"We always have a few companies like the warehouses that order 10 or 15 dozen, but 500 from Hollywood Casino, that's the biggest paczki order," Aronson said.

For Paczki Day, Donut Den will have the following flavors: strawberry, cherry, apple, blueberry, lemon, apricot, custard, cheese, French silk and fresh strawberry.

"Custard and strawberry are probably our two biggest sellers," Aronso said.

For Paczki Day, Donut Den has about 30 employees on hand.

Aronson said he's doing everything he can to make sure he has enough staff.

"We're calling up ex-employees," he remarked.

In recent days, Donut Den has been asking customers to fill out their pre-orders for Paczki Day and pay in advance, but "we will still have them in the store all day for people," he said.

Donut Den has been in Joliet for about 18 years, and Aronson said he has owned it since 2009.