Duck Donuts Opens First Location at the Delaware Beaches

Photo courtesy of Duck Donuts

A Milton couple recently opened a location of the made-to-order donut franchise on Wilmington Avenue in Rehoboth Beach.


Breakfast just got a bit sweeter in Rehoboth Beach.

Duck Donuts, known for its made-to-order donuts, recently expanded its footprint in the First State with a new franchise location in Rehoboth Beach. The shop opened Saturday, Dec. 12, at 33 Wilmington Ave. in Rehoboth Beach, attached to The Avenue Inn & Spa.

Courtesy of Duck Donuts

The new location is owned by Julia and Charles (Buff) Vaughan. Now Milton residents, both are retired stagehands at The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.

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Buff says the couple used to own a home in the Outer Banks and every trip needed to include visits to Duck Donuts. The pair were first looking in the Carolinas, but after no franchise space was available there, settled on Rehoboth closer to their new home. This is the Vaughan’s first venture into the restaurant industry, but they knew opening a Duck Donuts was the right business to go with.

Courtesy of Duck Donuts

“It’s warm, delicious and made to order, it can’t be beat,” Buff says.

The current 824-square-foot retail store will double in size to 1,551 square feet by this summer to offer seating for customers. In addition to donuts, the Rehoboth Beach location serves Duck Donuts’ signature coffee blends (Riptide Roast, Light House Blend, and Sunset Pier Decaf), espresso, donut breakfast sandwiches, donut sundaes, frozen beverages and milkshakes, select retail items, and more, including ice cream from local favorite Hopkins Farm Creamery, according to a news release.

Courtesy of Duck Donuts

Founded in 2006 by Russ DiGilio in Duck, North Carolina, Duck Donuts specializes in made-to-order donuts. Patrons create their own donut combination by choosing from a variety of coatings, toppings and drizzles, including traditional choices like chocolate icing with sprinkles to unique flavor profiles like maple icing with bacon.

Buff’s favorite flavor is the cinnamon sugar donut and is excited for everyone to get a taste of his favorite donuts. While the staff prepared for opening, Buff delivered some taste test donuts around the beach area and already received a positive response.

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Courtesy of Duck Donuts

“It’s amazing the smiles that these donuts bring to people’s faces,” he says.

The Vaughans are following all COVID-19 precautions and for now, the store has no on-premise seating available, but is offering takeout and curbside pickup. All orders will be taken outside and delivered outside. Online ordering will also be available.

Courtesy of Duck Donuts

During the winter months, Duck Donuts Rehoboth will be open daily from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

For more information, visit the DuckDonuts Rehoboth Beach Facebook page or connect on the web at DuckDonuts.com.

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