Store Opening: Ambler Donuts Opens, Opposite Dunkin'

The story of the donut shops at the corner of Butler Avenue and Bethlehem Pike in Ambler reads a bit like the card at a heavy weight boxing match.

In the northwest corner, weighing in at just over 5,200 franchises nationwide, hailing from Canton, Massachusetts, is the reigning champion Dunkin’ Donuts. And representing the southwest corner, with a record of one day open, is the hometown underdog, the newly opened Ambler Donuts.

But, that’s exactly the kind of competition members of the Cathcart family, owners and operators of Ambler Donuts, came looking for.

“We wanted to come to the neighborhood, and we noticed there was a lack of a bakery [in Ambler] with fresh baked donuts,” says Dan Cathcart, son and brother to owners Jim and Patrick Cathcart. “We see there’s a Dunkin Donuts across the street, but we also noticed that Ambler’s the kind of a town that doesn’t really like the chains that much. If you notice, there’s no Subways, there’s no KFC’s around; it’s all small Mom and Pop shops, so that’s what we wanted to open up.”

The beginning of Ambler Donuts actually stretches back a bit further than that concept, when the owners of PFP Property Management, LLC, decided to build a commercial and residential complex at the present location of Ambler Donuts.

PFP is owned by the Penna family (father Peter F. and son Peter), who also own the Fireside Bar and Grille, located just across the street. According to Cathcart, the Pennas and his family are longtime friends, and the idea was passed along.

“The basic idea was to bring something like Yum Yum Donuts, from the Horsham and Lansdale areas, to Ambler, where they really don’t have one or anything like it,” Cathcart said. “So we said we wanted to build a place with fresh-baked donuts every day.”

The complex, known as the Ambler Gateway, has two downstairs retail locations, and three already-rented apartments on the second floor. Ambler Donuts currently occupies one retail space, with the other up for grabs.

To help make their vision a reality, the Cathcarts enlisted the services of baker Brittany Postupak, who brings culinary experience to the team. Her unique approach can be easily seen on the menu, with varieties like blueberry pie and French apple tempting the taste buds.

Cathcart says keeping the donuts fresh is the other half of the equation.

“We bake fresh every single day, twice a day, so you’re guaranteed your donut is never going to be old, never going to be stale,” Cathcart said. “It’s also a nice place to come. You don’t feel like you’re hustled in and out. Dunkin Donuts is always a drive-thru, whether you’re walking in or not.”

The shop opened at 8 a.m. Monday morning, a few hours later than usual, as to avoid a chaotic first morning. Cathcart says that they wanted to work out any first-day kinks and not make customers wait.

“We wanted to make sure that we were well prepared, and didn’t want anyone to wait,” Cathcart said. “But now we open 5 a.m., Monday through Friday, Saturdays and Sundays at 6 a.m."

Service seemed to be going fine by midday, with several customers using the drive-thru and buying over the counter simultaneously.

Ambler Donuts’ menu lists a dozen at $8.49, and we saw one customer handpick an assorted dozen, grab a coffee and walk out for 10 dollars and some change.

“This place is dangerous, being so close to home,” the woman said jokingly. “I figured walking here was worth one donut, but a dozen is a different story.”

The two brothers, working the shop on their first day, appeared to be enjoying themselves.

“With family, it can be tough, but it’s always more rewarding,” Cathcart said, smiling.