In our last story about Holey Grail Donuts, we reported that the business was hoping to open by the middle of this month. Alas, that didn’t happen, but we can report it has a new date, March 11. On Monday, we got a sneak peek at the space where workers were busy completing the finish details. While the official opening date is March 11, co-founder Nile Dreiling told us he’s hoping to have a soft opening as early as next week so he can get operations underway and work out the kinks. He also told us he’s looking for staff. (Email [email protected] if you’re interested.)
We met Dreiling with local resident and general contractor Natalya Cappellini. Her firm, Curato Design/Build, which specializes in commercial construction, has been working on the donut shop since last November. This is the second Holey Grail location she’s completed for Dreiling and architect Evan Raabe.
As a member of the local community Capellini and her team were mindful of the historic significance of the space. She told us they were very excited to breathe new life into the nearly 100-year-old building built by Larchmont’s original developer, Julius La Bonte. The original concrete floors have been cleaned and sealed as well as the concrete block walls. Her background in architecture and attention to executing the design details can be see all throughout the space that serves as both a showroom for the product and a hard working kitchen.
“We are creating a design template for future locations,” explained Capellini.
“We wanted to feature an open kitchen so customers can see how the donuts are made and everything that’s going into them. We locally source all our ingredients, everything is fresh,” explained Dreiling. “We are also going to have a taro plant in the front of the shop so customers can see what it looks like. We will also have some Holey Grail merchandise as well.”
The stainless steel walls will be filled with menus featuring the store’s full beverage program, including coffee and teas. Dreiling told us about their homemade cashew milk, made fresh daily, which is nitrogenated so it comes out frothy and creamy. It’s often added to beverages like chocolate milk, chai or draft coffee. The beverages are “paired” with one of the weekly special donuts. Dreiling told us they have developed more than 65 flavors and counting. He enjoys the creativity of collaborating with chefs and celebrities, which also increases awareness of the brand. Recently they announced a new flavor created by skateboard legend Tony Hawk. The “TH,” made with taro, real maple, Hawaiian vanilla bean and burnt coconut caramel, debuted at the Holey Grail in Santa Monica and is available until March 1; proceeds from the sales support Hawk’s foundation, The Skatepark Project.
Though Holey Grail was one of the first businesses to sign a lease in the newly renovated Larchmont Mercantile, the build-out was delayed by a number of issues including city permits. Dreiling is eager to get the doors open so he can get his staff trained and ready for what he hopes will be booming business.
“Larchmont has such great foot traffic and we love being in a neighborhood with families. We are very excited about being here,” said Dreiling.
It won’t be long now!
