Anne Rucker on One Year of Bogart's Doughnuts

The minimalist store front Bogart’s Doughnut Co. can be deceiving. One may think the offerings inside are limited and also minimal as is the way the space presents itself. However, this is not the case. The flavors chosen by baker Anne Rucker are masterful, whimsical, and delicious. Nutella-filled, lavender cake, and brown butter glazed are a few of the staples.

Rucker and her team celebrated the one year anniversary of Bogart's opening on Sunday, May 31st. Their inaugural year has been full of excitement, hard work, and some surprises. Rucker credits her store manager Kara, kitchen manager Tzvetelina, the overnight bakers, and the counter staff for the bulk of the success. She has had little turnover and used the word lucky over and over when talking about their contribution. Reflections of the year were very positive, coming away with only one regret--not making the kitchen bigger.

Rucker’s early dream of a store front for doughnuts came from an innate entrepreneurial sixth sense. She thinks beyond what she is currently involved in doing. When she had her stand at the Kingfield farmer’s market, she was plotting about a permanent space. Once she had her permanent space she began dreaming of making the next move downtown. When Rucker cold called the property manager of the IDS building about getting a doughnut kiosk at the Crystal Court, it turned out that the woman had Rucker on her list of contacts to reach out to as well. Bogart’s Kiosk will open July 15th with hours from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays.

As for the future, Rucker keeps a master wish list of flavors and ideas for doughnuts and refers back to it for inspiration. Because of her forward thinking she is going to keep pushing the doughnut concept beyond what we think is possible. The selection will be broad. Until then, this week Bogart's is bringing some flavors out of retirement to honor their one-year anniversary.

-Joy Altmann