{"id":256454,"date":"2024-08-23T01:49:45","date_gmt":"2024-08-23T01:49:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/2024\/08\/23\/the-donut-hole-shutters-at-downtowns-tony-carson-building\/"},"modified":"2025-06-25T17:11:53","modified_gmt":"2025-06-25T17:11:53","slug":"the-donut-hole-shutters-at-downtowns-tony-carson-building","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/2024\/08\/23\/the-donut-hole-shutters-at-downtowns-tony-carson-building\/","title":{"rendered":"The Donut Hole Shutters at Downtown’s Tony @ Carson Building"},"content":{"rendered":"

[ad_1]
\n<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n \"Scott <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

The Donut Hole has closed prematurely in the Tony @ Carson building (formerly John E. Carson Building) downtown, something we are not familiar with at all. Prematurity, in case that were not obvious.<\/p>\n

Why are we writing about the closure of a doughnut shop? Because it\u2019s a slow news week and because, well, doughnuts. And we have a little inside scoop, so there\u2019s that.<\/p>\n

The Donut Hole took the place of Donut Bar, which took the place of O Face Doughnuts. Seeing a pattern here? Donut Hole, from the folks behind Carl\u2019s Donuts, was only in operation for about six months.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Even the glorious Googie stars couldn\u2019t save Donut Hole.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

O Face closed in 2015.\u00a0Donut Bar<\/a> closed in June of 2023, Donut Hole opened in Jan. 2024 and closed August 19, 2024.<\/p>\n

The skinny on Donut Bar is it was making only about $1,000 a week, or about what it costs to park on the street downtown these days.<\/p>\n

Why such paltry revenue? No foot traffic.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s Donut Hole\u2019s parting message via Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Downtown, hole quality varies widely.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ah, the classic \u201cexploratory concept.\u201d In other words, \u201cWe explored, we glazed, we were in the hole the entire six months, we\u2019re out.\u201d<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t entirely Donut Hole\u2019s fault. A long-awaited project from Dapper Companies<\/a> just across the street has yet to open, despite being in the works for ages. We trust Donut Hole put a lot of hope in the overhaul and opening of the old post office building (which is supposed to have office space, restaurants and bars) to perk up foot traffic in the area. No such luck.<\/p>\n

The reality is it\u2019s tough to pull people off of Fremont Street for doughnuts.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s been no word about what might replace The Donut Hole yet, but don\u2019t be surprised if a tenant doesn\u2019t open until the Dapper Companies venue opens across the street.<\/p>\n

The Tony @ Carson building was acquired in 2023 by Boston Omaha Asset Management.<\/p>\n

\n

John E. Carson building downtown has sold for $6.8 million. The sale by the estate of Tony Hsieh involved 80 NDAs with interested parties. pic.twitter.com\/y7lFFquszo<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Vital Vegas (@VitalVegas) December 14, 2023<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

There\u2019s been some drama around the Tony @ Carson building, home to the popular Carson Kitchen.<\/p>\n

\n

Tony @ Carson mural update. Kerfuffle averted. https:\/\/t.co\/szU6rlcXn3<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/Xx7L190m11<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Vital Vegas (@VitalVegas) April 9, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The company also owns the now-closed Inspire theater<\/a> on Fremont Street, as well as the former Nacho Daddy space (soon to be the Glitter Gulch Tiki bar, opening date postponed indefinitely).<\/p>\n

Nobody\u2019s really talking about the fact that of the dozens of Tony Hsieh properties downtown for sale, these are the only ones that have been purchased, and they\u2019ve all been purchased by the same company, Boston Omaha Asset Management. Also not discussed is the fact the Boston Omaha\u2019s co-managing partner, Brendan Keating, is or was the chairman and co-founder of Logic Commercial Real Estate, the real estate brokerage company tasked with shopping Hsieh\u2019s parcels to potential buyers.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s so much nothing to see here, it\u2019s comical.<\/p>\n

Anyhoo, downtown is down a doughnut shop. There\u2019s always the wildly popular Pinkbox Doughnuts at Plaza and Dunkin at Fremont casino.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Just as these doughnuts do not exist (they\u2019re A.I.), calories consumed in Las Vegas also do not exist. Probably.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Carson Ave. could really use some kind of brightly-lit connector to Fremont Street, as was created between Fremont and Downtown Grand with a shiny promenade. Then again, there were powerful forces at work with the Fremont-to-Grand walkway. Former mayor Oscar Goodman is a big supporter of the Mob Museum, and his wife, the current mayor, ultimately signed off on the money for the promenade because it dramatically improved the sight lines between Fremont and the museum. It\u2019s Vegas, after all. Pizza Rock, Triple George and Hogs & Heifers aren\u2019t mad.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ll keep an eye on downtown for you, so you\u2019re free to drink to excess and fornicate with a very reasonably-priced companion down there, just the way Mother Nature intended.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n