By: Chelsea Cornwell
AS the Glass door opens and I step into a vibrant and colorful shop with two dining tables, with four chairs each, and a bar to order from and physically watch as the donuts are being made. The aromas are a mixture of both sweet, as well as salty, with high notes of fruit, sweet icing, paired with the smell of the infamous fryer that is an assembly line of donuts being made, constantly, by a machine that drops the dough into a fryer as a mechanical spatula picks the timed, perfectly cooked donuts, up and flips them over into, yet, another fryer where the final spatula, finally, drops them onto a tray to be decorated and served. This magical invention makes the donut making process so much more precise and ensures the donuts are cooked perfectly.
Along with the incredible donut as a base, there are an array of over ten icings and 12 toppings to choose from, making the possibilities endless.
At this point, you are probably asking yourself, “Who on earth came up with this incredibly brilliant idea because not only does she do specialty donuts, but she caters and does weddings. This Super Woman of the donut creating world is Marion Mason of Inwood, WV. started out working for an Oral Surgeon from the age of 18. She did, however, always dreamed of having a bakery and has always made cakes on the side for friends and family and those who requested her services. “I just started to get burned out,” Marion explained.
“I just want to do something different; something that no one else is doing. So, to get away, my husband and I went to the beach (Ocean City, MD), where I stumbled across a Fractured Prune (www.facebook.com/FracturedPruneDoughnuts) and I thought to myself, we do not have anything like that around here.
“Originally she looked into a franchise store, to open a Fractured Prune, but found it to be a bit too expensive and decided to venture out on her own. She found the location in Inwood at 27 Hovater Drive, and loved it because there was nothing around that compares to what she does within a very large radius. Freshie’s has been open since February of this year and has had a tremendous turn out. When asked what her secret is to the overwhelming success so far, she claims that adapting to her environment and demographic is important. For example, she started doing Glazes only but realized that ButterCream is a much better seller in the Inwood area. Marion also has two wonderful daughters that live down the road from her store, so she is blessed to have their help as well as an outpouring of people in the community willing and ready to help. “It’s been so much fun,” she exclaimed, when talking about how much support she has had from everyone around her. She also has a best friend, Kim, who runs the Jimmy Johns in Winchester, VA. Has been by her side at every corner; as well as her nieces and step-daughter have stepped forward to give her a helping hand.
Getting back to the donuts, because let’s be honest, that is what we are all drooling over. Marion has specialty donuts as well as featured, limited time, donut flavors that are mind-blowingly good. For information on how to find out what she is featuring, visit her facebook page at www.facebook.com/FreshiesDonuts. There you will find specialties such as; Strawberry Shortcake Donut, Cannoli Inspired Donuts, a Rolo Explosion Donut, and even a wonderful Chocolate Caramel Pretzel Donut. YUM!
If you find that you have a passion for Freshie’s Donuts then you can be sure that she will deliver, literally. She is currently working on a wedding cake that was requested by a bride as well as a Carnival Themed day with nothing but Carnival Donut flavors. If your kids love them as well, she also caters birthday parties, for any age, but it’s the kid in all of us that loves the endless possibilities of being able to stack whatever you want, however you want it, on top of a, perfectly fried, sweet and salty, crispy and delicious, donut.
There are also several upcoming events that are exciting for Marion and Freshie’s, such as an Urban Easel Art Paint Party on May 20th, and she has several graduation requests to fulfill, making a lot of graduates and their family/friends very happy. She is always accepting new ideas and adapting to every environment that she is put in. One secret to her success, in my opinion, is the fact that she never really says no. If the consumer asks for a certain product, then you can be sure that Freshie’s will deliver above and beyond what your expectations could ever fathom. As if providing the community with her amazing talent weren’t enough, she also takes everything that is made and not used at the end of the night to the homeless shelters to also give them something sweet to eat, keeping their spirits high and making sure everyone is taken care of.
When asked what she saw for the future of Freshie’s, she explained that she wanted to expand and grow. She wishes to always learn and experiment with different flavors.
Never getting bored, and never boring her consumers. She would also like to have a few more locations as well as employees so that she can, “finally have a day off”. Marion has really made an impact on the community in Inwood, WV. and continues to expand and come up with wild flavors such as the Sausage Gravy Donut (Don’t knock it until you try it!) and a Strawberry Jam Filled Deliciousness Donut, which is her classic donut with Strawberry Jam in the center as well as drizzled on top of the powdered sugar finish.
There is no doubt in my mind that Freshie’s is going to go far in the Eastern Panhandle. With delicious flavors, the ability to adapt to her demographics demands as well as having chosen a good location, she hopes to continue to prosper. She asks that everyone just come out and try one. Be it with a group party with friends, or a lazy Saturday with the family, make sure to stop by on your way through Inwood, WV. to experience donuts that raise the standard for what one would expect out of a donut. My personal favorite did happen to be the Maple Bacon Donut which was the classic donut, and maple icing, rolled in real, fresh, perfectly cooked, bacon chunks as well as a request of maple syrup on top and oh my goodness, it’s heaven on a fried disc. Trust that whatever you decide to choose, you will not be disappointed. Marion aims to please and wants everyone to know that this has been her lifelong dream, and her best friend Kim said, “I’m so happy to see she and her family’s dreams finally coming true. I am happy to help because she is such an incredible woman to know. My advice to anyone that feels like they aren’t living their dreams, NEVER GIVE UP, it will happen eventually.” Taking Kim’s advice, I happen to agree, after all have seen on my ventures, one thing does stand tried and true, if you keep going, and never give up, you’ll get there. Just keep going. Marion and Freshie’s is a true testament to that.
ICINGS:
- Chocolate
- Maple
- Blueberry
- Vanilla
- Marshmallow
- Lemon
- Caramel
- Strawberry
- Peanut Butter
- Classic Glaze
TOPPINGS:
- Chocolate Chips
- Coconut
- Oreo Crumbles
- Peanut Butter Chips
- Peanuts
- Graham Cracker Crumbles
- White Chocolate Chips
- Sprinkles
- Peppermint Chips
- Fresh Bacon Crumbles
- Marshmallows
- Powdered Sugar
- Cinnamon Sugar
- Fruity Pebbles
- Andes Candy
