Three tenants have now signed leases to occupy The Lantern at 3985 Tennyson St. Under renovation via Rue, a Dallas-based real estate firm, The Salty Donut shop and bakery will accompany the fast-casual salad chain Sweetgreen and Two Hands, a fresh ingredient-based, Australian-style cafe serving breakfast through dinner.
“We’re really excited about it,” The Salty Donut’s chief marketing officer Danny Pizarro said in a conversation with What Now. “It’s a great fit for us and a market we can expand into. This is not just a one store market.”
After beginning by perfecting “a really freakin’ good donut” in a Miami commissary kitchen and selling to community members from a 1950’s vintage Aljoa camper bought on credit, The Salty Donut has expanded its imprint to six open locations, five upcoming stores, and (counting Colorado) four states.
In addition to over a dozen donuts that range from a traditional glazed to a white chocolate tres leches, The Salty Donut also features rolls and meat- and cheese-filled kolaches — traditional Czech pastries. Donuts can also be enjoyed with The Salty Donut’s craft coffee (dipped or undipped — your choice).
Residents excited for the expansion will still have to wait awhile before The Salty Donut or any Lantern restaurant opens its doors to the public. The building is undergoing extensive renovations after being vacant post fire damage over five years ago. Pizarro said that he expects The Salty Donut to open sometime early in 2024.
