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Fallbrook welcomes Winchell's Donut House

Village News/Christal Gaines-Emory photos

Fallbrook's newest donut shop opened to the public on May 26, and the community welcomed Winchell's Donut House with open arms.

The new Winchell's Donut House is a family owned business run by Leonel and Reyna Ortiz and their daughter, Diana. Although Winchell's coming to Fallbrook was a surprise to many members of the community, this business plan was over 30 years in the making.

The Ortiz family immigrated from Mexico 32 years ago knowing very little English. When they arrived, Leonel Ortiz began looking for a job, and his first job in America was at a Yum Yum Donut shop. Yum Yum Donuts later bought Winchell's Donut House, and the franchise began expanding.

He worked as a baker, and as the franchise grew, the executives noticed that he was an extremely hard worker. However, Ortiz still was not fluent in English, so they were unable to offer him a position in the new executive office. Instead, to reward him for his hard work and dedication, the executives left him a donut shop.

The Ortiz family decided that buying the franchise name would make it easier to grow a business in California and buying the name would also allow the Ortiz's to run the business on their own without having to answer to any of the executives.

In order to buy the franchise name, Leonel and Reyna Ortiz worked seven days a week for 10 years, without holidays or breaks. Two years ago, they were finally able to achieve their goal and buy the franchise name.

However, before opening, the Ortiz family faced many unexpected setbacks.

"When we first rented out the space two years ago, the business was broken into and we had to replace the windows," said Diana Ortiz. "Then, two months later, while we were doing construction, it was broken into again and all of the construction workers' tools were stolen. We had to pay over $10,000 out of pocket to replace all of the tools."

The last complication occurred when construction had been completed and all of the kitchen equipment had been installed.

"The last time the business was broken into, the thieves took everything," said Ortiz. "They took $22,000 worth of equipment from our shop."

After experiencing many setbacks, Ortiz decided to post on social media about the many complications they had faced as a family and as a business. She said that she did not expect to have such a positive reaction from the public.

"After I posted about everything that had been stolen and the amount of damage that had been done, I received over 500 messages on Facebook from people offering to help," she said. "They helped fundraise for us and sent many messages of support."

The Winchell's Donut House will feature a plaque in honor of the many people who supported and donated to the business during their time of need.

These complications stopped the Ortiz family from opening the business to the public for a year, but the family managed to keep their spirits up and continue working hard to achieve their dreams.

According to Diana Ortiz, her father sees this new business venture as the epitome of the American dream.

"He's always saying that this is his American dream," she said. "Coming to the United States with no papers, no family members, no connections, and being able to make a meaningful business with your family. We're working together and running a business as a family, that is our American dream."

The Ortiz family hopes that the new Winchell's Donut House will help to bring new opportunities to the residents of Fallbrook.

"Someone opened the door for my dad when he first came to this country, and this inspired him to start this business so he can open the door for others," Ortiz said. "We hope to hire high school students without job experience so they will be able to grow, gain experience, and make positive memories at their first job."

"Hopefully, someday my kids will work here at our Winchell's too," she said.

The Ortiz family is thankful for the support from the community, and they hope that residents recognize that the business is not intended to take away from anyone else.

"Of the 20 negative messages I received, many were worried about Winchell's taking away from other businesses," she said. "That is not our intention, we still go and support other donut shops in town and this won't change. There's enough sunshine to go around."

The business successfully held their grand opening on May 26, and the community was welcoming and excited for the new edition to the town, lining up out the door and looking forward to the 24 hour service supplying donuts, muffins, sandwiches, bagels, specialty drinks and more.

"We appreciate the support from the public and we look forward to serving the people of Fallbrook," said Ortiz.

 

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