Shipley Do-Nuts — Restaurant in Lynchburg

I love Shipley’s donuts and occasionally stop on my way to work since it’s only a few miles out of the way. I truly hope the Timberlake Road location will thrive and remain in the area. One thing to help this location thrive will be to help the morning shift manage time. The sign on the front door states operating hours to be 5am to 6pm daily. Naturally, the paying customers expect the doors to be opened at 5am. This is important to those of us under time constraints to arrive at work, or elsewhere, on time. Even though I have visited 4 times in August, I have not purchased any donuts. One Friday morning early in August – From the parking lot, I could see the front room lights were off. So I sat in the car until about 5:05. When they unlocked the front door and I went inside, there were a few bear claws and a few cake donuts, but nothing I wanted so I left empty handed. The employee that eventually unlocked the door mumbled something as I walked in but I couldn’t understand it. The following Wednesday morning – There was a light rain as I stood under the canopy at the front door. I watched someone loading the warmer oven by making multiple trips to the back. At 5:05 no one cared enough to unlock the front door so I left empty handed even though I could see donuts on the display inside. This Wednesday 8/27/25– I stood at the front door until about 5:05 watching the cashier count money at the register. No one would unlock the door, so I left without ever getting inside even though I could see donuts on the display inside. Today, Friday 8/29/25 - they were open early, which was great. But they only had bear claws and cake donuts, so I left empty...

So I will base my 5 stars on the donuts and the corporate training person that stepped in to help. Went in to order there was only one person ordering and we were next, there were several employees standing around, laughing, joking and what appeared to be messing around. The guy who was near the counter on the customer side I am guessing like a new store trainer came up and immediately started correcting the customer service and jumped in to help. We did not say anything or give any indication we were unhappy, just seems he noticed them too. The donuts were amazing! I have said since moving from Arizona I miss getting fresh donuts from somewhere, although we live in Moneta, we are willing to drive for these. We have put off going as someone said they are always busy and out of items. We just ordered sampler boxes so I cannot speak to the kolaches or specific donuts being in stock. I also ordered a cold brew, black with cream. Sorry guys this was awful. The coffee had so much liquid sweetener that I couldn't even drink it, I should have tasted it before we left the store. I am not sure if that sweetener is already in it or the girl misunderstood that I wanted literally coffee and cream not sweetener. The price for a dozen definitely beats the other chain places. These were just so fresh too and we went at 10. We...

First off, I am originally from Houston so Shipley is extremely well known and loved by my whole family. We transplanted here over 3 years ago and were thrilled to see this store open. I drove from the Richmond area to get donuts one morning. It happened to be a morning where there was an incident with the fryer so there were no yeast donuts. I was offered cake donuts. Let me be very blunt. No one makes a 4 hour round trip for cake donuts. They are not that special. I can get those at a Dunkin. They are good but not far above any other. The yeast donuts however are a different story. They are legendary. So I implore the staff to understand how special a Shipley Donut is and protect that fryer with your lives and understand the loyalty we have to this brand. If you can't produce the glorious yeast donut in the quantities required you are doing nothing good. Will I come back and try again? Most likely. I was willing to drive 4 hours for donuts. I have told my entire department how Shipley makes the greatest donut ever. I need you to hold up your end of the bargain. I will be buying somewhere between 5 and 6 dozen. My wife wants a dozen for her...