Editor’s note: Our series Enterprising Spirit documents how businesses and workers are managing the economy’s slow return to life after its sudden shutdown in March – and adapting to new challenges ahead.

When the pandemic-caused stay-home order went into effect, Donut Parade co-owner Nathan Peabody knew he wanted to find a way to help out.

Already accustomed to giving away doughnuts at the end of the day – the doughnuts in the shop are baked fresh daily – he decided to expand that tradition to those most in need.

What started as a monthlong commitment to donating doughnuts to various groups in need – retirement homes, first responders, health care workers, the unemployed and others – soon became a community effort. Peabody said over 100 individuals and businesses supported Donut Parade, both financially and with delivery help.

Peabody said the community response was “nothing but positive. Our experience, it was a very fun, encouraging time to be a part of. Obviously, the thing that brought it on was not fun and encouraging, but it was really cool to see everybody rally together.”

The stay-home order did not affect the business model greatly because about 90% of Donut Parade’s business was already takeout. But it did affect the business itself in major ways as sales dropped sharply.

Peabody had to lay off his employees, and the shop became primarily run by him and his wife, Christa Peabody, who co-owns the business. And without customers sitting inside, eating at tables, the feel of the shop changed.

“Probably the worst part for us was initially we had to do a bunch of layoffs,” Peabody said. “It was hard to let people go.”

Donut Parade has been a Spokane institution since Darrell Jones opened its doors in 1968, but the store – then owned by Roy and Christian Reno – closed in December 2016.

The closure appeared permanent, but it wasn’t to be.

To the delight of the community, the Peabodys reopened the shop in March 2019, giving it a fresh coat of paint and a retro feel, as well as a commitment to coming as close to Jones’ recipes as possible.

Initially, sales decreased dramatically, but have slowly and steadily increased.

Since Spokane moved into Phase 2 of the state’s reopening plan and restrictions on restaurants loosened, Donut Parade has opened seating at 50% capacity. It has also put in place additional cleaning measures to keep customers safe.

Peabody said he and his wife received a Payroll Protection Program loan, which helped them rehire their employees.

“I would say it was really cool because we mostly hire young people here, and they all came back,” Peabody said. “They chose to work when opportunity came back, so that was really cool to see.”