Part I: Donut Shop Hangout

Sometimes you see something that looks out of place.  Something that seems kinda weird.  Tonight, as I was riding home from a meeting, I noticed that there was a group of people - 8 to 12 people - hanging out at a local donut shop.  Now maybe this is a normal phenomenon in your neck of the woods, but most of the donut shops that I am familiar with open at 4 or 5 in the morning and close at noon.  Sure, they have a crowd that hangs out and has coffee and donuts in the morning, but in the evening the coffee drinkers are at home watching the news and the shop is closed.

As I marveled at the popularity of the donut shop, I recalled seeing people hanging out there a week ago when I rode by at about the same time.  In other words, this is not an isolated incident.  This place has a following that likes to have donuts at 9:30PM.  Is it just me or is that a little strange?!?

Perhaps it isn't about the donuts or coffee.  Maybe people just need a place to hang out.  The patrons encompassed a diverse age range.  I thought I saw a couple of high school age students at a table - maybe doing homework.  Five to seven people looked to be in their fifties or sixties.  (I am not sure about the others, I was trying to ride by without giving away my astonishment).  There were a couple of motorcycles parked nearby as well.  Some of them were inside the shop while others were sitting outside.

I have been to the shop in the morning a couple of times.  It seems like they have a group of regulars that like to shoot the breeze and smoke at the outside tables in the mornings.  Maybe they come back in the evening to do the same?  I just cannot be sure.

I think I might have to stop in next week and go undercover.  You know - try to blend in, buy a half day old donut, sip on some rat poison (donut shop coffee), and see what makes it the place to be on a Thursday night.  Maybe it beats hanging out at a bar.  Or maybe they are just meeting there on the way to the bar?  I just cannot be sure.

If I find anything out I'll be sure to let you know.

TO BE CONTINUED...