The Spudnut Donut Shop

Our post today was sent in by a reader is a rare look into one of the many family owned businesses that was the backbone of the Johnstown economy for many decades. The first photo is "The Spudnut Shop" located at 603 Grove Avenue back in the early 1950's. Her dad, Lou Fabina was owner and operator of this business. The business moved to Broad Street across from the old Fire Hall in the mid 50's. Her dad was forced to close the business due to eminent domain laws and the building and lot was sold to the government in the early 60's. After that her dad decided not to reopen the business elsewhere.

Glazed doughnuts were sold for 55 cents a dozen and 60 cents for assorted. (which was expensive back then but people loved them). 100 to 200 dozen of doughnuts were sold daily. The store was open seven days a week from 8:00am to 12:00 midnight. The doughnuts were also delivered to local grocery stores and even Harris-Boyer bakery.

The second photo is Lou Fabina rolling out the dough for the donuts. The tall gentleman on the right is Clark Hauer. He was part owner at the business. The middle gentleman was Casey Deers. He sold the flour to make the doughnuts. The flour was brought by truck from Cleveland, Ohio.

The third photo is the readers mother -  Shirley (Rehn) Fabina. She was a housewife mainly in her early years but also helped out when needed at the business.

The last photo was taken when the business was located on Broad Street. The three on the far right - Connie (Rehn) Rickabaugh, her dad Lou Fabina and mother Shirley (Rehn) Fabina. The others on the left were employees. Both of her parents are still living and reside in the Coopersdale section of Johnstown.