Iconic Detroit Donut Shop Reopening Under New Ownership In 2024

DETROIT — Dutch Girl Donuts will reopen under new ownership in Detroit sometime early in 2024, according to a news release.

The popular donut shop is planning to reopen in its original store with the iconic blue sign at 19000 Woodward Ave. in Detroit, according to the release.

Paddy Lynch, who also owns Detroit's historic bathhouse, The Schvitz, and is a third-generation funeral director with Lynch and Sons, will take over the shop from the Timmer family, who founded Dutch Girl in 1947.

"My family has loved Dutch Girl since before I was born," Lynch said. "I’m extremely grateful, honored and excited to carry this local favorite forward for the Timmer family."

Lynch added his family shares a special bond with the Timmer family that goes beyond the donut shop. Paddy’s cousin Tim Lynch, Jr., who manages Lynch and Sons Walled Lake, has known the Timmer family since childhood and handled funeral services for Gene and Lauren, according to the release.

Like so many in metro Detroit, Lynch said any time he and his family were in the area, they would stop at Dutch Girl for a dozen donuts. He also said he'd often stop to get donuts after he moved to the Arden Park neighborhood in 2011.

"Dutch Girl Donuts is an institution for many Detroiters," Lynch said. "I’m looking forward to this journey and to working with Jon Timmer to get Dutch Girl up and running in the early new year."

The Dutch Girl Donuts shop, located at Seven Mile Road and Woodward Avenue, shut down operations in September 2021 due to staffing shortages caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

A few weeks later, Gene Timmer, the owner and founder of the beloved donut shop in 1947, died from complications due to cancer. He was 75 years old.

The building was then listed for sale in April.