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The Stars — and Customers — Lined Up for Daly's Donuts' Grand Opening

  • Writer: Bob Benenson
    Bob Benenson
  • Mar 8
  • 3 min read

Customer Base Built at Farmers Markets Drew Down-the-Block Crowd


Photo by Bob Benenson
Photo by Bob Benenson

I thought that my friends at Daly's Donuts would draw a good number of buyers for the Grand Opening of their first brick-and-mortar store on Saturday (March 7). In the two full farmers market seasons since their launch in 2023, Conor and Alejandra Daly had built a strong customer fan base for their baked doughnuts — her recipe — that are delicious, but much lighter than traditional fried doughnuts.


But even the lines they'd enjoyed at their market stands could not have prepared them for the scene at the corner of Armitage Ave. and Orchard St. in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood. There obviously was a line outside when I got off the bus right across the street (photo above). But I didn't get the full dimension of the down-the-block throng until I crossed the street.


The line outside the Grand Opening of Daly's Donuts' new store reached well down the street. Lincoln Park High School is the red brick building across the street. Photo by Bob Benenson
The line outside the Grand Opening of Daly's Donuts' new store reached well down the street. Lincoln Park High School is the red brick building across the street. Photo by Bob Benenson

I clocked the time that I stood in line at about 75 minutes. No press privileges taken, because it would have been terribly rude... and even in upscale Lincoln Park, I might have risked a beating if I tried to cut in.


Now this is significant because I hate standing in lines. Hate it. It's not much of an exaggeration when I say that under normal circumstances, I wouldn't stand in line for more than a hour if Jesus came back to do a concert with Bruce Springsteen and Brandi Carlile.


But this is the kind of thing you do for friends. I first met the Dalys in autumn 2023 when they were a late season addition at The Lincoln Park Farmers Market, located in the parking lot of Lincoln Park High School across the street (thanks to Market Manager Elsa Jacobson for that introduction). I wrote an article about their goals for their business in February 2024, and have come to know them well; they are among the nicest people I know.


Photo by Bob Benenson
Photo by Bob Benenson
Photo by Bob Benenson
Photo by Bob Benenson
Photo by Bob Benenson
Photo by Bob Benenson

The line slowly crept toward the front door, until finally I reached the holey land. I couldn't hold up the line, so I quickly took some photos while my order of a half-dozen cinnamon sugar doughnuts was put together.


Conor Day. Photo by Bob Benenson
Conor Day. Photo by Bob Benenson

A peek at Alejandra Daly making doughnuts. Photo by Bob Benenson
A peek at Alejandra Daly making doughnuts. Photo by Bob Benenson
Colin Daly, Conor's brother, is also part of the family business. Photo by Bob Benenson
Colin Daly, Conor's brother, is also part of the family business. Photo by Bob Benenson
Photo by Bob Benenson
Photo by Bob Benenson

And those lovely doughnuts, unpacked at home with the obligatory cup of coffee.


This is not the first time that I've met and written about food service entrepreneurs as they were building out their locations and then enjoyed spectacular opening days. They include DryHop brewpub and Honey Butter Fried Chicken, which opened within a few months of each other in 2013. Hopefully this is a good omen for the Dalys, because both of those businesses are still going strong after more than 12 years.


If you're reading this Sunday morning, you can check out Daly's Donuts (659 W. Armitage) until 3 p.m. I can't say for sure that the line will be as long, but you might want to bring some music or a good book.


Or you can wait until the crunch dies down a bit. Starting immediately, the store will be open Wednesdays through Sundays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.



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