DETROIT (WWJ) -- The building that housed Detroit's iconic Dutch Girl Donuts has been put up for sale.
A message posted to the shuttered business' Facebook page on Monday reads: "Building at 19000 Woodward Ave for sale. Signed offers to be sent via email to jask68@yahoo.com. Subject line should call out Dutch Girl offer. Send offers by Friday April 14th. Highest and best offers will be considered."
The building has sat empty since September of 2021 when the popular donut shop announced that it would close, at least temporality, due to a staffing shortage.
Dutch Girl's longtime owner, Gene Timmer, died just a few weeks later, and the business never reopened.
WWJ's Charlie Langton, who was himself a big Dutch Girl fan, says word is the owners want to sell the building, but retain the brand name.
"As you an see this building is in pretty bad shape at this point," Langton said, reporting from outside the closed shop, early Tuesday. "Not in bad shape, but they do have to clean up some of the glass that's been broken here. And it looks like the did have a notice of violation (taped to the door); not exactly sure what that's about."
Former customers commenting on Facebook seemed to have mixed feelings about a potential sale; although many agreed they'd like to see the brand make a comeback.
Adam McGlynn responded: "This is depressing news. This place was my go to for donuts my whole life. I was holding out hope you’d reopen. 😭."
Elizabeth McGauley had this suggestion: "Sell the recipes!! Don't let them die out!!! No one can make them the same!!!
Speaking to the Detroit Free Press, Hanna Timmer Parrow — daughter of Gene and his late wife Lauren Timmer — confirmed that they are selling the building but did not same a price. She went on to tell the newspaper that they are still hoping the 70-some-years-old Dutch Girl Donuts brand might return someday. “We would need a partner that’s willing to make a legitimate offer," Timmer Parrow told the Freep. Someone that’s legitimate to reinvest and make Dutch Girl what it could be.”
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