KALAMAZOO (WKZO-AM) — Big crowds in Kalamazoo and Battle Creek filled up on paczki before the start of Ash Wednesday, which meant big business for one iconic local bakery.
Sweetwater’s Donut Mill owner Greg Garner said bakers at his shops produced over 10,000 of the pastries in nine varieties over a four-day span, and lines were out the door at times on Fat Tuesday.
“It’s kind of like Valentine’s Day, when everybody wants to go out to dinner with their sweetheart or loved one,” Garner said.
But he said the fried balls of dough and filling, despite having a unique place in Polish and Catholic culture, aren’t all that different from a regular donut
“It’s just more of everything,” Garner said. “More shortning, more sugar, more egg and twice the filling.”
Regardless, a good number of the fried delicacies were bought, and many in advance. An estimated 200 dozen pre-ordered paczki were sold at each Sweetwater’s location in both cities, Garner said.
– Anthony Pollreisz
