Sugar Shack Donuts and more coming to Manchester

The Lighthouse is going to be lit up once more.

June 4, 2014; 8:51 AM • by Richard Hayes

My hierarchy of RVA area doughnuts goes Country Style, Sugar Shack, Dixie, all the rest. So I’m beyond thrilled to read this morning that Sugar Shack is jumping the river and setting up shop in Manchester. Not only are they setting up in Manchester they’ve bought and plan to renovate one of the coolest neglected spots in the area the Lighthouse Diner. Back in 2007 there was buzz about the place being renovated and CBS6 ran this story that gives you a peek inside.

As you know those efforts fell apart but now Richmond BizSense has the news of a new owner and new life for the old diner.

Kelley bought the Lighthouse Diner property at 1228 Hull St. last week. He plans to first renovate part of the space as a warehouse and production kitchen for Sugar Shack’s catering and mobile operations. And then eventually re-open the rest of the property as the Historic Lighthouse Diner.

“I’ve looked at 40 spaces in the past month,” Kelley said. “This is one of those places I walked in and it just felt right.”

Kelley said the diner would be inspired by his visits to Asheville, N.C., with an emphasis on baked goods and breakfast items like large biscuits, waffles, pancakes, jams and preserves.

“I would love to have stuff there like scrapple but made locally by somebody,” Kelley said. “I don’t like having freezers.”

And Kelley said the diner would of course serve Sugar Shack doughnuts and coffee.

“It’s been a long time since I was in kitchens,” Kelley said of the future diner. “I get to do a real menu again instead of just doughnut flavors.”

Image: Michael Thompson/Richmond BizSense.com