I really have no idea how we lived in this neighborhood for so long without devouring all of these doughnuts. Do yourself a favor. Get up, right now, and walk down to Gerrard Street, just near the intersection with Rhodes. Buy a doughnut. Vegan? They’ve got you covered, too. They open at 10AM and close when they’ve sold out, so get a move on. You’ll thank me.
Where does this magic come from? Owner Ashley Jacot De Boinod took a lesson to heart from a theory class she took in Chef school: Do one thing really well. “That motto really took hold of me,” Ashley shares. “I’ve been very passionate about dedicating and honoring the old traditions of being an artisan. So, I took that and combined my passion for hospitality and created Glory Hole Doughnuts.” Ashley learned this lesson well, and GHD delivers.
Ashley first graced the world with her glorious creations as a wholesale kitchen in Kensington Market. It took her a little while to find a permanent home, braving some “wacky” landlords along the way. After seven months of looking, she was able to find GHD’s first permanent home in Parkdale where it has been running for 9 years. By 2018, it was time to expand.
Ashley grew up near Coxwell and Gerrard, attending Bowmore and Malvern schools. She was looking for a second location, and was feeling discouraged after losing a few possibilities to larger companies. Without a particularly helpful agent, she decided to strike out solo and explore a few potential parts of town. Her old neighborhood called her back, although she notes how much it has changed. Now we’re the lucky home to her business.
The pandemic has been challenging on a number of fronts, and Ashley notes that the limitations on support for small business have meant that many of her friends in the food industry have had to shut down permanently. GHD has been able to operate as a takeout space, staying open pretty consistently through the ups and downs of Ontario’s policies. She wanted the model to be flexible, but most of all safe. Author can confirm: I’ve stood in a well-spaced and quickly moving line on a Saturday morning, before stepping into a carefully constructed exterior vestibule to order from a friendly staff member. “It’s still so strange,” says Ashley. “But, at the very least, we are able to survive.”
Difficult customers have made things hard on her staff, with the occasional person being downright abusive. Her staff have stayed true to themselves through it all. “I’m incredibly proud of all of our staff. Being able to come in with a positive attitude everyday and work through a pandemic when not all customers are kind? That’s something to be proud of and must be acknowledged.” Ashley also draws inspiration from the way the city has come together. “There have been moments of extreme kindness amongst our communities and all over the city really. It gives us space for hope and reminds us that we are all in this together.”
Ashley is affectionately protective of her team, and of the kindness and inclusivity that is fundamental to GHD. “Everyone is genuinely welcome,” says Ashley. “GHD is also a dedication to all Food Industry people who have felt mistreated at one time or another during their careers… There’s no screaming you traditionally hear about and we work more collaboratively. Everyone is genuinely welcome.”
This culture is evident internally and externally. The Gerrard Street shop windows proudly display “Black Lives Matter” signs and calls for justice, interspersed with brightly colored decorations and seasonally oriented menus. Ashley is humble about the growth that she and GHD have experienced over ten years. With an aspirational but proud tone, she points to the culture as a defining characteristic of the business. “I think I’m most proud of the shop culture I’ve worked so hard at creating. It wasn’t easy as I was still young when I started GHD and I myself still needed some fine tuning. It’s always been about changing the narrative in our industry. Being fully inclusive, and continuing to grow through challenges. Our spaces are environments where everyone can be their true authentic selves, or at least that is the hope. It’s taken almost a decade but I finally feel like the shops are where I’ve always wanted them to be.”
Glory Hold Doughnuts is a shop where this culture is felt, strongly, even from the sidewalk. It makes you want to come back. Aaron and I have now turned meandering down for a doughnut into a weekend ritual, and have been delighted with each new thing we try. So far his favorite is the Vanilla Sprinkle, although stand by for an update as the Toast and Butter doughnut is next on his list to order. Mine is the Strawberry Rhubarb Jam filled doughnut, available on their Spring seasonal menu. (Although I’ll be eagerly awaiting the return of the London Fog filled when it gets chilly again… yum.)
As for Ashley? The coffee cake doughnut and lemon ricotta doughnut holes are up there. But mostly… “I love my dough,” Ashley shares. “Especially straight out of the fryer.”
Count. Us. In.
The Backyard Projects 