By Eva Mazzara
Rich Johnson spreads Smucker’s orange marmalade across his doughy, old-fashioned donut and takes a careful sip of his steaming coffee. Around him, the aroma of cinnamon, sugar, and the comforting scent of baked goods permeates Mike’s Donuts, where Mission Hill residents have gathered for caffeine and conversation for more than 50 years. “We feel proud, very proud of it (the establishment),” said Owner Maria Weinograd. She never planned to own a donut shop. But more than a half-century ago, her husband Bruce was looking for an accounting position when a mutual friend offered him a job at the Tremont Street business. The Weinograds continued working at the shop as the neighborhood grew, until the work became more than just a temporary job. Eventually, they bought the business. “The people, the neighborhood – we knew that was something we loved,” Maria Weinograd said. “We just settled there and we were sure that’s what we loved.” The expansive menu offers more than just a sweet treat – customers have the option to choose a savory salad, sandwich or soup. Weinograd’s involvement in Mission Hill extends beyond Mike’s Donuts. She serves as one of the directors for the Mission Hill Neighborhood Housing Services, and established the Mission Hill Crime Committee’s first meetings in 1985. “We got involved in everything we could be involved in,” she said. “We have to be active and care for the strangers.” When customers first step into Mike’s Donuts, Weinograd hopes they are enveloped in the loving environment the couple aspired to nurture since day one. Johnson, who has been a regular customer for more than a decade, said the shop serves as a community gathering space. “It’s been here for a very long time, so it’s a known entity,” he said. “It’s where people go to commune, but also to have their daily coffee.” While donuts aren’t Johnson’s first choice, he said he returns for the quality of the food and service. “It’s the only place in the neighborhood that actually bakes anything – they’re very fresh.” Johnson says Mission Hill is a vibrant and diverse neighborhood that has maintained its slower pace. For Weinograd, the biggest reward is seeing her customers enjoy the food and fellowship. “The consistency of customers coming back, their reviews, their comments, or their smiles is everything you wish to see,” she said. Over the years, some customers say the donut shop has become a reference point for family memories. “Sometimes a customer will tell me they’ve been coming here since third grade,” said Weinograd. “As the kids grow up, they come back with their children — and that’s my reward.” Although the store is often packed with long-time customers, newcomers frequently walk in. “The environment and the setup is less overstimulating (compared to other establishments),” said Kate Esteban, a student at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, and a first-time customer. “This is a classic donut shop, and when you walk in, you know that and can see that.” On a recent afternoon, the shop’s Christmas decor and pink and green theme evoked a vintage feel. “It’s been here for so long, and I feel like people are more drawn to that rather than these new modern places,” Esteban said. “It’s timeless.” Eva Mazzara is a student in the Boston University Journalism program. This story is a partnership between the Beacon Hill Times and the Boston University Journalism program.